About Us
We meet regularly (though activity has had to be confined to Zoom meetings since Covid restrictions) . In normal circumstances we arrange talks,visits and an occasional special event.
We regularly invite speakers to give talks and sometimes , if a member has a particular area of expertise, they will give a talk to the group about it.
Group compost order
Since 2018 we have submited an order for compost from Dalefoot Composts (www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk ) who produce a variety of composts using only natural ingredients from the Lake District fells. We can benefit from very heavily discounted prices available to gardening societies. The order is submitted in late january/ early February. For further information contact us at perthorganic@gmail.com
The P.O.G. Cookery Book
This publication is available drawing upon members' s contributions. A must-have ... priced at only £3!!
Copies are available from the secretary via perthorganic@gmail.com
Seed/Plant Swaps
The seed/plant swap is a popular group activity. By swapping seed that has been grown within the local community most of the seed being swapped is adapted to local conditions and should grow well. Some of our members are currently working to establish a seed library. It will have its first swaps during 2021. To contact the organiser write to perthorganic@gmail.com
Special Events
We have sometimes participated in local events by taking a stall at garden markets or garden open days. We have also hosted a special event with speakers to promote organic gardening - such as a very popular workshop on 'no dig gardening'.
Each Autumn we hire the equipment for a day of apple scrunching to turn members' apples into juice. Sadly Covid restrictions meant that this could not go ahead in 2020.
Our food our land
In 2020 we were successful in obtaining a small grant from the Scottish Governmen t Climate Challenge Fund to hold a workshop and follow-up events (all virtual because of Covid) on the impact global climate change will have on food production and consumption. Arising from the events held a report has been produced. It is available in electronic form and the link can be provided if you contact us at perthorganic@gmail.com
Several follow-up developments have happened includint the plans for a Perthshire seed library, and a dedicated facebook page - Our food, our land: growing, cooking and eating for planet earth.
It is hoped to build up an online information resource of related references, provisionally entitled "Place to go".
POG has an open access facebook page on which there is a lively exchange of news and comment about all subjects relevant to us. Go to 'Perthshire Organic Gardeners'.
Socials
These are enjoyable, informal gatherings when we come together to have fun and relax. Our annual Christmas social is always a popular occasion.
Here is what we have did in 2020:
February. Visit to Zero Waste shop in Mill Street
March. Our food, our land: Preparing for the future and protecting the planet. A virtual event on climate change funded by Scottish Government. Follow-up workshops arranged on Zoom. Report in preparation
April. AGM and talks on bees and their significance to gardeners.
May. Talk on Peas Please, a project under the auspices of Nourish Scotland aiming to promote eating of vegetables.
June. Talk by Keesje Crawford-Avis on her policy work with Nourish Scotland.
July. Talk by Kate Everett on A plant nursery and forest garden near Alyth.
August. A talk by Margaret Gimblett on The Scottish Gardens Scheme and open gardens in Perthshire.
September. A talk by Rhona Forrester on Beavers and biodiversity.
October. A talk by Jocelyn McLaren on her work as Perth & Kinross Council Tree and Woodland Officer.
November. Lets talk about seeds, with members introducing our experiments with the Garden Organic Heritage Seeds scheme, and plans for a local seed library.
December. Christmas social.
