The Great BIG Earth Dig Simon Jakeman


This little idea developed when a group of neighbours, friends and relatives decided on a long cold night that it was about time to start growing our own fruit and veg. We had spoken about it before but finally decided to go for it and put our name down on the waiting list for our local allotment.


In the meantime and after being inspired by HRH the Prince of Wales’ Dimbleby lecture, back in July 2009, I wrote a letter to Clarence House, 10 Downing Street and the Mayor of London about developing a day to reconnect people back to the planet. I received an encouraging letter from Clarence House just before Christmas, which inspired me further. We also luckily managed to get a disused allotment plot. It was over 120 feet by 20 feet and 20 feet high in brambles, trees etc (more of a jungle!) which we slowly began clearing in the snow in January. We managed to get most of it cleared by March. Our first great BIG Earth Dig then began, in which we created five raised beds ready for planting. One of the more experienced growers started creating a crop rotation plan. The rest were ready to work after the rallying cry of get out of bed, get your boots on and Dig for Sustainabil- ity. We also made some mock posters up for encouragement.


Over the year, we’ve all had our own jobs from weeding, planting, watering and not forgetting pick- ing. Our children have been involved at every stage. Most of us being complete beginners we just dived straight in. Growing strawberries, raspberries, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, rocket, sweetcorn, courgettes, potatoes, beans, onions, peas, sugar snaps, and not forgetting a pumpkin. It’s been a year of hard work, but wow the amount of produce we’ve shared is staggering. We have had some great roast dinners, and the taste is unbelievable, and totally organic. You cannot beat growing your own. Getting back amongst nature has been the best part of it. We’ve now got a couple of sheds and even walked a


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whole green house up to the allotment! We are now looking forward to 2011’s growing. This enthusiasm has even spread to our work places, growing small amounts of fruit and veg in corners here and there.


This was only our first year, but how rewarding. We hope to inspire others to join in their own way, in growing their own. We are on twitter and now have a website: www.thegreatbigearthdig.co.uk.


Alan Titchmarsh talks about how helping his grandfather on his allotment over 50 years ago when a child, encouraged his love for growing. I must thank my Grandad (a merchant navy sailor in WW II) for planting a little seed in my imagination when I was a young child, while pulling up spuds, picking beans and digging in his veggie patch. This has now emerged in me, to be past on to my children. Just maybe Dig for Victory some how has been brought back to life after over 70 years, into the 21st Century. In these concerning times, let’s get digging and have some fun.


The Great BIG Earth Dig Is a day to inspire people on a local community level to create a new space for growing their own fruit and vegetables on the first day of spring, otherwise known as Equinox Day, Sunday 20th March 2011. By growing your own fruit and veg a renewed awareness of nature’s cycles may help a long awaited reconnection to the planet. On the Spring Equinox everywhere on the Earth has equal day and night. The sun rises due East and sets due West at all points. A day we can all possibly celebrate the planet together, a day for community equality. Dig for Sustainability and produce locally grown food, helping to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. It is hoped that this day may grow organically from the roots up by word and mouth. You never know it may grow into something BIG. So get out of B.E.D., get your boots on and let’s start digging. Create a small raised bed in a sunny spot in your garden, patio, or balcony, or fill a container or pot…ready for the warmer days when the frosts have gone, to plant out.


To advertise email sally@chessingtonchat.com or call 020 8942 4821


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