Found in North Glasgow’s Possilpark area, Concrete Garden is brought derelict and vacant land into interim use for food growing. The space is an urban food growing, play and wellbeing oasis in the city providing growing and event space, as well as volunteering opportunities for the people of the Possilpark area. It represents a shining light for Glasgow in what can happen when vacant and derelict land is reimagined as a positive force for the community.
Housed within the St. Matthew’s Centre, the Concrete Garden launched in 2010 and is the centre’s flagship project, offering residents not just somewhere to grow, but also a place to participate in community composting and even urban chicken keeping.
Food grown within the garden is split out amongst the community gardeners and used to make shared meals at large community cookery sessions.
Since its launch, a variety of additional projects have since started within the centre, including the Back Garden – which has provided additional growing space since 2014 – and the Community Kitchen, which hosts an array of cookery workshops and community meals, sharing local and surplus food from Fareshare.
To get involved with the Concrete Garden initiative, begin by attending one of the many workshops held throughout the spring, summer and autumn. For more information, visit ConcreteGarden.org.uk
