Free seed packs will be handed out at many of the events being held in and around Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife as part of Scottish Biodiversity Week. Thousands of easy-to-grow packs containing rocket, chives, coriander and lettuce seeds are expected to be distributed during the week which runs between 16-24 May. Events vary from Ranger-led walks through wildflower meadows to puffin-watching on an RSPB cruise down the Firth of Forth.
The seeds themselves may not be indigenous to Scotland, however these popular garden varieties will benefit more than just avid gardeners.
“The seed packs are a great way for people to try growing their own vegetables for the first time," says Scottish Biodiversity Week organiser, Zeshan Akhter.
"Anyone who’s grown vegetables before knows how great fresh produce tastes - plus growing your own has the added benefit of saving you some money! The plants will attract insects such as hoverflies and bees and so also benefit wildlife."
Unique Scotland
Scotland has Britain's only unique species of bird, the Scottish crossbill, as well as the Arran whitebeam, a tree only found on the Isle of Arran, the mountain ringlet butterfly, and the Scottish wildcat, of which about 400 cats remain.
Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, urged people to take the opportunity in Biodiversity Week to get involved in a local event.
"It’s easy to let time go by without appreciating all that Scotland has to offer, but there are so many beautiful places and wild birds and animals right on peoples’ doorsteps - even if you live in a city, there are plenty of nearby parks and nature reserves.”
Events
- The Royal Botanic Garden is holding workshops for beginners wanting to grow their own vegetables.
- Underwater Mini-Monsters, 24 May from 2.00-4.00pm, Easter Craiglockhart LocalNature Reserve. Join the Countryside Ranger to explore the underwater magic of Easter Craiglockhart’s Pond. Have a go at pond dipping and learn about the creatures which have made this pond home.
- RSPB Firth of Forth Seabird Cruise, 17 May at 9.00am, South Queensferry. See
puffins and other wildlife in action by taking an RSPB Seabird Cruise onboard
the MV Maid of the Forth on the beautiful Firth of Forth. - Linlithgow - Stall at Farmer's Market, 23 May, 10.00am-2.00pm. Join the Linlithgow Climate Challenge to see how to grow carrots in a window box, potatoes in a tub, salad and herbs in a pot, and to find out how to build a bumblebee home from an old teapot.
See www.snh.org.uk/biodiversityweek for more events in Fife, Lothians, the Borders and across Scotland.