Linda McCartney’s celebrate one year of the Grow Your Own With Linda’s initiative

Discover what’s been happening at the community plots with videos from Paul McCartney & Family 

Find your local growing space or get involved at home, with tips & advice 

Growing your own fruit and vegetables has a raft of benefits, not only for the environment, but personally too; getting us closer to nature and benefiting health and wellbeing. Yet despite this, thousands of people across the UK don't have the space, expertise or the know-how to start growing their own.  

This is why Linda McCartney’s launched their pioneering Grow Your Own With Linda’s initiative with the ambition of making growing more accessible to people in inner-city locations up and down the country, bringing communities together and helping friendships grow. 

This month marks one year since the launch of the project, which was inspired by Linda’s drive to make going vegetarian more accessible when she founded the food company over 30 years ago. And with research revealing that 70% of the UK’s 18-34 year olds want to learn more about growing and 66% wish they had more access to outside space - there’s plenty of appetite!

In tandem with brilliant charity partners nationwide, Linda McCartney’s has been transforming six urban spaces into Grow Your Own gardens, creating a place to cultivate fruit and vegetables as well as be a neighbourhood hub for events and activities; all the way from London to Glasgow (with Bristol, Liverpool and Middlesbrough in between!) 

 

Kerri Park, Project Coordinator at Urban Roots, Glasgow, also says:  "The Linda McCartney's Grow Your Own garden in Pollokshields has become a focal point in the local community not only as a place for us to grow fresh fruit & vegetables and get a dose of nature, but to meet and bond with our neighbours. We're so excited to be working with Linda McCartney's to spread knowledge in growing to the community nearby - and, of course, cooking up delicious feasts with what we've grown!"  

In celebration, the McCartney Family have shared a sneak peak of what’s been taking place at the plots up and down the country with three new videos and are encouraging more of the nation to dig in and have a go at growing too! 

Photographs: © Paul McCartneyPhotographs: © Paul McCartney
Photographs: © Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney comments: “When I was a kid a lot of people around our council estate, which was a pretty poor estate, had allotments and I used to love to go along to those allotments and the guys would have a little shed in there - and it was an escape, it was like a little paradise.”  

Photographs: © Paul McCartneyPhotographs: © Paul McCartney
Photographs: © Paul McCartney

Mary McCartney says: “My mum really loved cooking from home-grown produce, and you can really taste the difference. My mum would have loved this project: her connection with the earth and kindness for all living things keeps her spirit alive through Linda McCartney Foods and these allotments. Spaces like this are a lifeline and with everyone helping each other, we can make a real difference.”  

How to start growing from home 

If you want to start growing from home but are worried you haven't got enough space, then think again; you don’t need much to be able to get started. Everyday spaces in any home can make a great growing spot - from window sills, to the kitchen table, to much more. To find out how to get started, growing on a budget, what to plant where and how to look after your crops head to the Linda McCartney’s website to discover the Grow Your Own Guide 

How to get involved in the Grow Your Own With Linda’s Initiative 

And to get involved at one of the local plots or even attend one of the workshops, head to the website for more information.