Garden

When IDEAs was first forming in 1997, one of the early members, a keen gardener, had dreams of giving something back to the local community and had the idea of creating a community garden. Located immediately beside the Resource Centre, this would provide the opportunity for disabled people, young people and the community in general, to learn about and enjoy gardening.

With the help from BBC's Beechgrove Garden Hit Squad and band of willing volunteers, the award winning community garden was established and the garden won the community corner competition.

Our plans for growing and selling vegetables have expanded and we now grow vegetables on a larger scale in two areas on Islay; the first is a field gifted to us by a local farming family where potatoes are grown in large crops; and the second in a walled garden on a local Estate where a variety of produce will be grown (including a special project area for the conservation of Juniper Bushes). With these Market Garden projects, IDEAs hopes to grow vegetables for our own use at the Lunch Club and for local retail as well as creating employment opportunities for local people.