In June 2020, SSERC applied for a grant from the Scotland Loves Local fund to take an area of wasteland from SSERC HQ and turned it into a digital garden in a collaborative programme between SSERC and King’s Road Primary School, Rosyth. We were also fortunate to gain Fife Council and Arnold Clark Community Fund funding to support the project.
What is a digital garden? It’s a standard allotment type garden, but with digital devices monitoring water moisture levels, greenhouse digitally controlled watering and ventilation systems, QR codes identifying plants. We even have a movement-monitored camera that captures wildlife movement that the school can access. The learners worked with SSERC staff to design, build, and plant fruits, flowers, and vegetable seeds.
We were delighted that Provost Leishman agreed to formally open the SSERC digital garden in June 2022. SSERC staff and staff and learners from King’s Road took the then Chair of the SSERC Board (Alan Nimmo) and the SSERC CEO (Alastair MacGregor) were present for the opening.
Scroll through the photos below
The Site
The Garden Develops
Work in progress
Work in Progress
The Official Opening
Opening Ceremony – harvesting potatoes with King’s Road Primary
Opening Ceremony with King’s Road Primary
Opening ceremony with King’s Road Primary
QR codes provide plant information
Learner from King’s Road Primary School investigating plants and insects using a digital microscope
See below for the latest updates
SSERC Digital Garden Update – 7th July2023
The growing season got off to a great start, with all learners from the P5 class at Kings Road Primary school getting involved - sowing seeds, planting crops and taking care of the SSERC garden. The new gloves and trowels were put to good use this year, and we were able to buy 100% peat free compost for the garden – doing our bit to preserve environmentally important peat bogs. We were also able to buy some plastic free [...]
SSERC Digital Garden Update – 10th May 2023
We are grateful to the following sponsors who have each donated £150.00 toward the cost of consumables: Bell-Wylie Consulting SSERC Digital Garden corporate sponsor - SSERC Walter Patterson Digital Garden Sponsor - SSERC We continue to work with learners from King’s Road Primary School, Rosyth and planting has already commenced as can be seen from the images taken on the 9th May 2023. This year the Primary 5 class are growing: Runner beans Potatoes (first early and main crop) [...]
SSERC Digital Garden Update – 31st August 2023
Thanks again to our two sponsors – Bell Wylie Consulting and Walter Patterson Consulting. Your generosity is appreciated and as you can see from the images – successful outcomes. The images from the digital garden were taken last week.
