Community notes - April 2026

As things start picking up again, it feels like a good moment to pause and take stock.

A lot of what’s happening around Zesti at the moment exists because people quietly give their time — turning up, doing the ordinary jobs, and sticking with things even when progress is slow. That work doesn’t always shout for attention, but it matters.

So before anything else: thank you.

On the site

Community Garden

Over the past few weeks, the community garden has been properly waking up.

Beds have been cleared and brought back into use. Strawberries, flowers and raspberries have been planted. Paths have been maintained, and grass cut back so the space feels easier to walk through and spend time in.

None of that happens by itself.

It’s down to volunteers showing up when they can and doing what needs doing — not perfectly, just steadily. If you’ve helped out so far, your effort is noticed and genuinely appreciated. The garden is easier to be in because of you.

Later this month, we’ll be holding a seedling share on 26 April.

If you’ve got spare seedlings, bring them along. If you haven’t, that’s fine too. These tend to be simple, friendly days — a bit of swapping, a bit of talking, and people leaving with something that suits their space.

This time, we’ll also be adding our Zesti Grow Guides directly to the beds. They’re there as prompts or reminders — something to glance at while you’re planting or tending, rather than instructions to follow to the letter. They reflect what we’re learning in the garden itself, and they’re there to support the effort people are already making.

Community Compost

The community compost continues to tick along in the background.

It’s one of those shared systems that only works because people use it thoughtfully and keep an eye on it over time. Thanks to everyone adding material carefully, turning things when needed, and doing the small, unglamorous checks that stop problems building up later.

Community Larder

The community larder links into the work of the Ethnic Food Bank.

When produce is available, we try to take a small amount along each Wednesday evening — nothing complicated, just a steady connection between growing and sharing food where it’s most useful. At this point in the season there isn’t much to pass on yet, which is part of the natural rhythm, but the link remains important.

It’s a reminder that growing food isn’t only about what happens in the garden. It’s also about noticing when there’s enough to share, and where it can make a difference.

If you’re curious about helping out — whether through the community garden, community compost or community larder — these are shared spaces we’re co‑creating over time, and there’s room for more hands and more company.

If that sounds like something you’d like to be part of, you can get in touch via the contact page and we’ll take it from there. And if staying connected through the site is what works for you right now, that matters too.

Beyond

In May and June, we’ll be taking some of this work out into the town.

We’ll have a table at the Community Herb Garden Open Day on 17 May, 11am–3pm, at the Castle / Rothsay Road roundabout.

It’s a chance to spend some time in another shared growing space, meet the people who help care for it, and see how even small patches can be looked after collectively and generously. We’re really looking forward to being there and joining the day.

On 18 June, we’ll be at The Higgins as part of Great Big Green Week, with a small stall and a calm, hands‑on planting activity. People will be able to plant seeds or gently re‑pot young seedlings to take home.

It’s a drop‑in activity, open to all ages, and rooted in the same idea as the rest of the work — growing things can be a quiet way back into steadiness, connection, and care. We’ll also be there to talk about how the community growing projects are developing, warts and all.

That’s all for now.

Just a moment to notice what’s being built, bit by bit, by people willing to look after shared spaces — and to say thanks for that care.