How much food will I get?
The amounts for some of the foods, for example leeks and sprouts, are on our plant list. With other things like carrots and beetroot which will be sown from seed, we plan to grow as many as possible across the seasons. So, take carrots – we can sow an early crop, main crop, and an over-wintering crop. We have also planned the crops so that you will be able to have some home grown veg throughout the year.
How big are the beds?
We have based the areas on an average size of 3 square metres (approximately 10’ x 4’).
I haven’t got a big enough garden to grow my own food?
We can work in most gardens, even courtyards. The key factors are light and soil, so even if you need to use pots we can do that. We can build raised beds to a bespoke shape if you need us to.
I haven’t got enough time to do any weeding?
Down to Earth has a range of service levels to meet a variety of needs. We can do everything for you down to harvesting the crops and putting them on your doorstep! You just need to choose the one that suits you best.
Will my fruit and veg be organic?
The soil association has very strict criteria and a long registration process in relation to the term ‘organic’. We will grow everything naturally without the use of artificial and/or harmful chemicals, using natural feeds and creating good nutritious soil to enhance the plants own abilities and defences.
Why don’t I just go to the supermarket and buy their organic veg?
At different times you will probably need to supplement what you grow anyway depending on how much fruit and veg you eat. Even those with huge growing areas sometimes need to do this (I’m speaking from my own experience here!). We would always encourage you to buy locally produced food and food in season. Food sustainability and climate change are real issues that will affect us all, and the more people that grow their own, even a small amount, are helping to shape our food future instead of leaving it to the multi-nationals. And most importantly, there’s just something about food you’ve grown yourself – it tastes better, you harvest it when you need it so it’s full of nutrients, it doesn’t come in plastic bags so there’s less harmful waste. I could go on . . . . . !
I don’t like sprouts or garlic.
If there’s anything you don’t like, we can swap it for something you do!
How often will Down to Earth come round?
That depends on your service package. For example, if you are using the advice and support only service, the visits will be timed so that you’re there and we can do things together. We have a record sheet that we fill in after each visit, listing what’s been done and the next steps. You will get a copy of these record sheets as we go along.
I’ve got badgers and deer visiting my garden.
Badgers like some of the roots and vegetables that you will be growing, as do deer. Depending on the level of service you choose, we can protect your plot with rabbit wire fencing which should deter most creatures. Depending on the animals that visit you, and your experience of the damage that they cause, we can look at other measures too. We will also take steps to stop birds attacking your fruit and veg, and of course the dreaded slugs and snails!
My gate will be locked.
For those who keep their gates locked with a key, we are happy to hold a key so that we can gain access to your garden. We have a strict policy with regard to safety of keys. For example, keys are identified by code so that no-one else can identify the address they belong to. Keys are kept in a safe when not in use, and when they are in use, transported in a locked box.
I live in a terrace and you can only get to my garden through my house or through shared access.
We try where possible not to gain access through someone’s house, partly because working conditions mean that boots can be dirty. Where possible we would ask you to arrange access through your neighbours, and if we need to we can contact your neighbours before we visit to make sure access will be ok.
Why do I have to sign up to a 12 month contract?
There’s always work to do in any garden, and it’s no different for fruit and vegetable plots. Whether it’s moving nets and posts, pruning fruit bushes, composting dead plants, adding manure, preparing for the next season, planting or getting the snow off nets and winter veg such as parsnips! Also, there are the inevitable costs and overheads associated with each of the different services - we have tried to spread these costs across the year.
What happens if my personal circumstances change and I can’t keep my subscription going?
Obviously, when you’re signing any contract you need to read through it thoroughly. However, life happens and what we would like to do is to discuss with you your options and how we can carry on supporting you.
What if it snows for a month?
We will always try to continue as normal, but would need to clear the snow off any nets and veg as mentioned above. We also check for any wind damage to posts and nets. Anything that we don’t get done will be done as soon as possible.
What do you do with any waste?
We encourage everyone to compost any waste material from their garden or kitchen – it is really important that this waste does not go into landfill, as it creates methane which is a much more serious problem for climate change than CO2. We can give you advice on composting, or indeed build compost bins for you. What we cannot do is take waste products away with us.
