Growing in Gosport

I am sorry to have to inform you lovely people that the Growing in Gosport project will end on 31 December 2025. The main reason is simple - as of today there is only one person who has expressed an interest in joining the "Class of 26". I attended a number of events over the last few months where many people lead me to believe they would sign up, but they haven't. GIG was also advertised to thousands of Gosport email addresses through the Council Coastline Newsletter and that too has not elicted any response. It is unfortunate the Allotment Association did see fit to advertise.
I have immensely enjoyed sharing my love of growing vegetables with everyone and the most telling success is of the previous "trainees" who have gone on to get the their own plot, and one has become the Association Show Champion.
The Association has advised me that the balance of funds, raised by those who have supported GIG through Gosport Community Lottery, will be ringfenced (ie not spent on other stuff), should another type of growing project come to fruition in future.
So, with no vegetable growing going on, I will turn my interest to a new project about flowerbeds.
With many, many thanks to you all your support, interest, comments and shares.

Jim
Growing in Gosport

See this massive pumpkin? One grown from seed by Jim, our friendly neighbourhood gardener.

Donated to a very happy friend of GIG, who had a jolly good time carving it (took a while!) and has put it out tonight.

Multiple joys from one seed - you see it grow, knowing you've done that; gifting it to a grateful friend; the joy of hearing people say "it says Trick or Treat".

Gardening is good for so many things, and includes being able to share with others.

Join GIG Class of 2026, and grow a bigger pumpkin than this with Jim's help 😏

🎃

Jim really does know his onions. Who better to learn the art of gardening, rules of a successful harvest from than the man who just picked up Gosport in Bloom's Best Allotment category winner!

What is Growing in Gosport about?

Providing training on small plots to new gardeners supervised by a mentor (Jim More) on Saturdays between 1000 to 1200 at Brockhurst Allotment Site, weather permitting.

Hands on training is delivered weekly through a growing season which demonstrates the commitment needed to successfully run a productive plot.  Some previous participants found they couldn’t give the time needed. Better finding out earlier rather than later.

Jim is ready and willing to pass on his knowledge and vast experience to the Class of 2026. So, reach out here (Instagram and Facebook) or send an email to [email protected] to join the ranks of those who've learnt their onions like Jim, who know the right way up to plant a potato, who've gained the experience of growing and knowing exactly what it is they are eating.

Just Jim trying to convince the Mayor to join GIG 26!

Jim will be around a few other town events coming up, so please come along and have a chat - and sign up to the GIG class of 2026.

And finally. Other forthcoming GIG growfluencing events are:

11 Oct – Will be in the Town Hall Square advertising Allotments/Allotment Association/GIG.

17 Oct – Older Persons Forum Infofest at Thorngate Hall

18 Oct – Pumpkin Show at St Mary's Paris Centre

An excellent jalapeño harvest, which is heading to Michaelmas Fayre tomorrow.

So fancy something hot and fruity? Come see us tomorrow - you could even sign up to be an Apprentice Allotmenteer for 2026

We're still out here harvesting, and delivering care packages to very appreciative daughters. Hope your crops have remained bountiful as we move towards Autumn.

#🌶 #🧅

We've been quiet on here, but busy on the plot. Along with the standard harvest and maintenance, Growing in Gosport welcomed a working party from HMS Sultan as part of a community outreach session.

Over 20 bags of w**ds were generated and carted off to the tip, making space for us to sow Green Manure. You'll also see the work into putting an Anderson Shelter back together. An opportunity to repurpose pieces of history left on the plots!

We're grateful for the help and willing attitude from the HMS Sultan crew.

**d

As we all know, there's little Jim loves more than sharing plants, sharing gardening tips and cake. So yesterday was wonderful - a celebration to mark the 1 year anniversary of the Manor Way allotment site.

In the spirit of Growing in Gosport, share your surplus plants, promote growing your own, and enjoy a nice slab of cake.

#🌻

Donating plants from GIG to the Willow Welly Garden and new Brune Well Being Garden 😊

A wonderful aspect of getting into gardening is the generous nature of your green fingered friends. It infectious; have too many plants? Pass them on for someone else to plant on and enjoy. And in that spirit, Growing in Gosport have passed along extra plants to others to make use of.

🍓🍓🍓

Strawberries and sunshine, feels like summer.

Also, Jim will make anything and everything into a plant pot.

#🍓 #☀️

Did someone say spring sunshine?

Gardeners rejoice, the clocks changed and so has the weather.

Is this our tree? No. Did we spot it in Gosport and immediately smile at the sight of sun shining, clear blue sky and a beautiful flowering magnolia? Yes.

#🌸

We've been having issues with our contact email address, so if you've reached out and received no reply we apologise. In the interim, can you please text or call 07990 390 606 and we'll get back to you.

Don't forget you can still sign up for this year's intake!