Garden Sharing Scheme

With the increased interest in food growing, Macclesfield has a big waiting list for allotments.

Food4Macc is encouraging home-owners with under-used vegetable gardens to allow our members to cultivate them in return for a share of the produce. We have 12 garden shares running at the moment.

People who own gardens are often too busy to cultivate them, and elderly people may no longer have the physical strength required.

On the other hand, young people often have nowhere to grow vegetables.  Of course kids love planting seeds and seeing them grow.  So vegetable growing becomes good family fun.

Food4Macc acts as confidential introduction agency, finding out what the owner has to offer, noting any concerns, and also talking to aspiring growers about their aims and the amount of time they want to put into a garden.

We try to make sure that there is no mismatch of expectations.  Ideally the two parties live close to each other so there are no long distances to travel.

We propose an informal agreement between the owner and the grower that will allow the grower to harvest their crops even if circumstances change, for example if the owner moves house (and house selling is a slow process!)

There are compensations that offset this concern; the grower often takes over an established garden that needs less work than a green-field site, and the owner may be an experienced gardener who can offer guidance to a novice gardener – if needed.

Gardens Available for Growing

	Macclesfield Broken Cross area. A productive vegetable and fruit plot until 2 years ago. 3x5m, with potential to enlarge to approximately twice this area (currently lawn). Part of a south facing garden with compost area and water butt
	Rainow Part of a large garden currently laid to lawn. Rural and secluded location. Existing currant bushes and rhubarb
	Sutton/Langley Aspect: South west facing very open, windy at times no shade problems. Quite steep site but still usable. Size: approx. 2.5 acres slopes away from the stone building going up the hill. Water: Rain water collection possible, mains water also on site. Access: Good with ample parking. also access for walkers on the grit stone trail across bottom of plot could be a problem. Storage: Stone built shed with water and electric. Guttering in place no water butt, building has just been repaired so in good condition.
	Black Road area, Macclesfield At the end of a sunny, south facing garden. Flat site, access to water and use of greenhouse. Easy access.
	Bollington Two raised beds - greenhouse and compost bin ready and waiting for gardener. Flat sunny site with easy access potential for more land.
	Bosley/Wincle Area Garden share on an organic farm in Bosley - recently worked, ready for take over due to gardener leaving the area. Immediate planting plot 4x4m idyllic spot - more land available. Tools, shed and water on site.

New gardens are being offered all the time, if you’d like to be kept informed of these please get in touch.
Email for more details or to arrange a viewing:

food4macc@gmail.com

How to set up a Garden Share Scheme Sample Draft Agreement for Sharing a Garden

HomeGrow your own Find Local Produce Background info. Local Organisations Contact .