Bud reflects how I live my life, and draws on my experience of being a member of a workers' co-operative for 8 years. I’ve not always been interested in gardening. My horticultural journey began in 1999 when, inspired by a colleague, I grew a few bits and pieces in my tiny back yard in Levenshulme. It started with linseeds, scattered between the cracks in the old flagstones, flowering purpley-blue. It was a revelation. In 2001 my husband and I bought our first house, and it came with a small South facing garden. This gave me the space to experiment with growing vegetables, annuals and perennials from seed. Throughout, I read a lot of gardening books and magazines, including many about organic growing, and by 2004 I was completely hooked and keen to develop my learning. In that year I completed a City and Guilds Organic Gardening course and in 2005 I signed up for an allotment in Levenshulme, which I still tend my with husband. From 2006 to 2007 I volunteered at Debdale Eco Centre in Debdale Park, Gorton. Amongst other things I helped to run a Surestart project, which encouraged local mums and tots to get together to grow and eat healthy food. Continuing the theme of gardening in the community, I was a Sessional Worker in the garden at Salford’s Start mental health project from 2010 to 2011.
