Calders Green Shoots Garden

The Calder’s Green Shoots Garden is located on the grounds of Sighthill Primary School.  The garden was the first garden established by Wester Hailes Growing Communities and served as a model for the development of the other two gardens in Murrayburn and Clovenstone. The garden is for the use of folk living in the Calders and nearby communities.  The garden has approximately 40 growing beds, a large polytunnel, a large community shed, and a tool shed.  The current membership of the Calder’s Garden is around 15 people, and the community gardener, Gaby, supports the growers on a regular basis.

The garden is accessible to the local community and serves as an outdoor community center, providing space for events, workshops, and other activities. The garden also provides excess produce to local food projects including the Community Flat.

For several years, Wester Hailes Growing Communities has been delivering a school farm project in the grounds of Sighthill Primary School, led by Shona Nelson. The school’s pupils participate in the school farm and also make use of the facilities in the community garden for educational purposes.

When the garden was built, a  gate was installed from the garden into the back garden of the adjacent janitor’s flat, which has been vacant for over 10 years.  Wester Hailes Growing Communities have supported Calders residents to establish the Calder’s Regeneration Trust, with a goal to renovating the janitor’s house into a new community centre for the Calder’s.

Unfortunately, the community shed was burnt down at the end of last year.  We will start the rebuilding the shed in April with the help of pupils of Wester Hailes High School.  Luckily, we had build a second tool shed earlier in the year.

We have open doors workshops on Saturdays 1.30 to 4.30pm, come along to find out more.