Grow Together: From Planter to Plate

Our Grow Together group came back together at Tŷ Pawb for the second of our in-person hydroponics sessions.

This time, the session was all about checking in, seeing how everyone was getting on with their planters and looking at some of the ways the herbs they are growing can actually be used.

Since our first session, everyone has been looking after their hydroponic planters at home and starting to see their plants grow. It was lovely to get everyone back together, hear how things had been going and give people the chance to ask questions.

Mark from GroZen joined us again and was there to help with any questions about the plants and planters. People were able to talk through what was growing well, anything they were unsure about and what they could try next.

One participant said they particularly enjoyed being able to “chat re last session and get advice”, which is exactly why these sessions are so useful.

We were also joined by Tom from Groundwork, who spoke to the group about some of the courses and opportunities they have available.

We wanted Grow Together to be about more than just growing plants. We also wanted it to be a chance for people to find out about other local opportunities, meet new people and connect with different organisations.

One participant said they had particularly enjoyed “meeting new people, learning about other opportunities locally.”

From planter to plate

One of the big parts of this session was looking at what people can actually do with the herbs they are growing.

For this, we were joined by the amazing team from UAreUK, Jane, Ayda, Mark and John, who came along to do a cooking demonstration.

They showed the group how herbs can be used in simple, everyday meals and drinks. They made a delicious soup and pasta sauce, as well as different infused waters and herbal drinks. And of course, everyone got to have a taste! The parsley and lemon drink seemed to be a bit of a surprise favourite.

Some of the feedback included:

“Parsley and lemon drink is more delicious than I expected.”

“Loved the herby drinks, will definitely do them.”

“Great ideas, will definitely be experimenting.”

There were lots of simple tips shared during the demonstration too, including when to add herbs while cooking and how different herbs can be mixed together.

One participant said they had learned “not to have the heat too high and put the herbs in last for a fresher taste”, while someone else liked learning that they could use “variations of herbs, no right or wrong mix.”

This was exactly what we wanted from the session. Simple ideas that people could actually go home and try for themselves.

More than growing plants

One of the things we are really enjoying about Grow Together is seeing the social side of the programme develop too.

When we asked what people had particularly enjoyed about the session, responses included “meeting other people”, “everyone interacting with everyone and tutors”, “the enthusiasm of everyone delivering” and simply “all of it.”

We also asked how confident people now felt about cooking with their plants. Some already felt confident, while others said they were looking forward to trying things out and practising at home.

One participant summed it up really well:

“More than before!! Just need to practice.”

And another said:

“Loads of excellent advice given. Loved it!”

This is really what Grow Together is all about.

Yes, we are learning about hydroponics and growing food at home, but it is also about trying something new, building confidence, sharing ideas, meeting people and learning together.

A huge thank you to Mark from GroZen, Tom from Groundwork and Jane, Ayda, Mark and John from UAreUK for coming along and sharing their time, knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone.

And of course, thank you to everyone taking part in Grow Together.

One final piece of feedback probably sums the session up better than we could:

“The time flew by today. It was just an amazing session. Looking forward to the next one.”

So are we!

Coming next: microgreens

At our next session, we will be learning all about microgreens, including what they are, how to grow them and how they can be used.

We will also be joined by Isabella Nyambo, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Metabolism at Wrexham University, who will be talking to the group about the nutritional value and benefits of microgreens.

It will be another chance to try something new, learn more and keep building on everything we have already done.

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone again and finding out how all the planters are getting on.

Grow Together is delivered by Done Together CIC as part of the Communities for Work Trailblazer programme.

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