Organiclea Plant Nursery: Food Growing and Plant Maintenance Grower and Assistant

2020 was a difficult year for everyone, for myself included dealing with grief and uncertainty of our livelihoods. It was also the year many people had the time to discover new things about themselves and find new passions and interests they would like to do once life resumes back to normal. During my time I had found a new love for Horticulture and food growing. I started this journey in the summer of 2019 by signing myself up to and organisation that planted trees around London as part of a summer scheme by 'Trees for Cities'. I found the experience to be a great way to meet new people and be involved in something very rewarding for myself and my community. Shortly before the first national lockdown, I was lucky enough to have joined a team of food growers at a local plant nursery where I worked throughout the summer working well as a team with other new members to ensure we kept all the plants healthy and growing from the chili's in the greenhouse to the lettuce in the outdoor raised beds. I also took the role to the next level and enrolled to complete my first horticulture course and as a result, I gained my NOCN Level 1 Certificate which allowed me to progress into higher levels of education. The course taught me about the science of plants, plant maintenance, health and safety, and how to utilise natural and organic methods to grow plants including learning how to make compost and herbal teas using the plants and resources at the nursery.