All the produce we grow is used within our organisation, ensuring nothing goes to waste – any leftovers are composted to support our commitment to sustainability.
The Chelsea Flower Show
In 2024, we proudly showcased our Growing Skills Garden as part of the All About Plants exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show!
Teaming up with designers Dutch Landscape Architects, we created a garden that embodied everything Pulp Friction stands for. Our Members’ dedication and skill shone in front of millions, earning us the People’s Choice Award and a Silver Gilt Medal.
Read more about the garden here.
Our Garden Plots
We garden across three primary sites, each offering unique opportunities for growth and learning:
Bestop Community Garden
Located just around the corner from our community hub, we’ve transformed this once-blank canvas into a thriving space with a polytunnel, raised beds, worm farms, and fruit cages. You’ll find us tending to the garden most days!
JHQ Greenhouse
This site features raised beds, a heated bench, apple trees, composting bays, and a rainwater collection system. We’ve also installed a solar-powered watering system to keep plants nourished. Our homegrown vegetables make their way into our canteen, ensuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Create Our Growing Skills Garden
After our success at Chelsea, we re-planted our award-winning Growing Skills Garden at Stockhill Fire Station, where it continues to flourish in its new home. Designed with edible plants, this garden provides ingredients we use in our cooking – a perfect example of sustainability in action.
Community Gardens
Every Wednesday, Pulp Friction Members can be found hard at work on the Dig In community allotment in Stapleford. We care for fruit cages and garden beds alongside dedicated volunteers, ensuring this beautiful space remains well-maintained.
Our commitment to community gardening also extends to local care homes, businesses, and community groups, where we help nurture green spaces. Occasionally, Members assist individuals in maintaining their own gardens, fostering a sense of connection and shared responsibility.
We’ve also partnered with Nottz Garden Project, working together to reclaim urban spaces and transform them into thriving gardens for the public to enjoy as part of our Nature & Climate Project.
Sustainability
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of our work, including horticulture. Across all our sites, we’ve implemented:
- Worm farms, composting bays, and rainwater collection to reduce waste and support eco-friendly gardening.
- Peat-free compost and organic worm juice fertilizer to nourish our plants naturally.
- Rescuing surplus supermarket plants, selling them to fund and reinvest in our gardening projects.
- Recycling materials wherever possible, from plant pots and pallets to wheel trims, ensuring minimal environmental impact.