Low Carbon: Back to nature for the kitchen garden creators

The team designed and built a kitchen garden in the grounds of Mickle Trafford Mill in Mickle Trafford as part of environmental charity BTCV's Carbon Army project.

The campaign aims to encourage the nation to grow more fruit and vegetables and take practical action against climate change.

Come rain or shine, the young mums, retired professionals, unemployed and students tend the kitchen garden, leading to a harvest and feast later in the summer.
BTCV reports that almost seven out of 10 adults from the North West would grow more of their own fruit and vegetables if they had more time.

One of those who found the time and is now reaping the rewards is mum-of-two Amy Edwards from Hoole.

She said: "I have been growing fruit and vegetables for years but now I have a family I don't have time for an allotment, so the kitchen garden is a brilliant way to share the responsibility and the work, and still have lots of fresh produce to take home.
"It's great to be able to give my children fresh, local vegetables, and not have to pay a fortune for them.

"I love working in the kitchen garden because there's always someone to talk to - it's so much more sociable than my own garden!

"Even if you have a lot of experience growing vegetables there's always something new to learn or an idea you haven't tried before, and people are happy to share their skills and experience.

"I've made some really good friends and it's great to know I'm doing something to help the environment."

Learn more about becoming self sufficient by ordering BTCV's free Good Food Growing Guide - a colourful book packed with top tips and celebrity recipes or visit www.btcv.org/carbonarmy.