From harvesting fresh produce to building a brand-new polytunnel, there’s been plenty happening on site
The growing season is gathering momentum at the Lanzalotty, with young people enjoying the rewards of months of hard work while preparing for even bigger harvests in the months ahead.
One of the most exciting developments has been the arrival of our first crops of the season. Fresh radishes, broad beans, peas, and lettuce are now ready to harvest, giving participants the opportunity to see the results of the care and effort they’ve invested over recent months.
Growing food teaches far more than gardening skills. It encourages patience, responsibility, and an understanding of where our food comes from. There’s something incredibly rewarding about harvesting produce that you’ve planted, watered, and cared for yourself.
Alongside the harvesting, significant improvements have been made across the site. Blazej has been leading work to create a pathway through the polytunnel, making access easier and improving the overall layout. Additional efforts have focused on clearing weeds and overgrown shrubs around the greenhouses to maximise sunlight and create better growing conditions.
A particularly exciting milestone has been the construction of a brand-new polytunnel. Like many worthwhile projects, it came with a few challenges along the way. In fact, four drill bits didn’t survive the build process! Fortunately, determination won the day, and the structure is now in place and ready for its next chapter.
The new polytunnel will significantly increase our growing capacity and allow us to extend the range of crops we can cultivate throughout the year. Next on the planting list are cucumbers, which we’re looking forward to introducing into the growing spaces.
Projects like these provide hands-on opportunities for young people to learn practical skills while contributing to something meaningful. Every path cleared, every seed planted, and every crop harvested helps build confidence and a sense of achievement.
As summer progresses, we’re excited to see the site continue to develop. With fresh produce already appearing and new growing spaces ready to be filled, there’s plenty more to come from Lanzalotty.
