The Footprint Trust’s Adopt-A-Garden scheme, based on the Isle of Wight, is offering free training to would-be gardeners, thanks to funding received from the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food programme.

Now is the time of year that gardeners are starting to benefit from their worthwhile hobby. Cucumbers, potatoes, courgettes and lettuces are all being picked at the moment. The gardeners are saving their households money and allowing their families to eat really fresh produce, straight from the ground and free of chemicals. If you’re feeling envious and wished that you too could grow your own – then help might be on its way.

The ‘Can You Dig It’ training scheme will give new gardeners the ability to grow vegetables and compost waste. The charity will then try to match up the new gardeners with a nearby garden for them to ‘Adopt.’ Those taking part will be helping the environment too by reducing their ‘food miles’.

Places on the free training scheme are limited to the first 20 people. Preference will be given to those without gardens who are willing to ‘Adopt’ one in their neighbourhood.

For more details contact Don on 01983 822282, or email don@footprint-trust.co.uk