Big Dig event at Martineau Gardens.

Ready, steady …grow! Gardeners and would-be gardeners are being invited to kick-start their gardening year with fun green-fingered gardening activities at the Compost and Veg event (on national Big Dig Day), at Martineau Gardens on Saturday 21st March, from 2pm–4pm.

The Community Garden in Edgbaston, Birmingham is hosting the free event to encourage people to grow their own food, no matter how big or small their grow space is or how much or how little experience they have.

The event will include drop-in food growing workshops and family-friendly activities to inspire even the most reluctant gardeners to don their gardening gloves.

Activities include hands-on vegetable growing techniques, potato planting plus making a compost heap from scratch. There will be garden-themed art and craft activities for children with Crafty Kids with Kika, plus tea and cake on offer from the Pavilion.

There will also be a guided tour of the Community Garden, taking in the growing areas, the wildlife areas, woodland and formal areas and plant and compost sales.

Caroline Hutton, Director of Martineau Gardens, explains why the charity is hosting the event: “We want to inspire people to make a move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Growing your own food is a step in the right direction. It’s great fun, low cost and you get to eat delicious food.”

The Compost & Veg event takes place on Saturday 21 March, from 2pm-4pm, free entry at Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG.

Further information on 0121 440 7430 or www.martineau-gardens.org.uk. The Community Garden is located five minutes from the MAC and opposite the Priory Hospital. There are parking spaces available on site or the Gardens are served by buses 1, 45, 47, 61, 63, X64.

Compost and Veg event is part of the Big Dig Day – the biggest ever community gardening day. Details of other participating Birmingham gardens can be found at www.bigdig.org.uk/birmingham/