Rock 'n' roller plants mini-allotment in tenement basement

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 09:52

BY night he works for rock acts including Iggy Pop, and Idlewild. But during the day music fanatic Rik Hart ditches the bright lights and dons his gardening gloves to tend flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs in his own mini-allotment at his Stockbridge flat.

The green-fingered sound technician decided he wanted to grow his own plants and produce five years ago, but he got so fed up of sitting on the council's allotment patch waiting list that he decided to do it himself.

Over the past three months Rik has transformed the bland concrete slab outside his tenement basement flat into a plant-packed garden.

The fruits of his labour have produced carrots, cabbages, radishes, rosemary, basil and strawberries – and there are many more delicious foods to come.

Rik said: "I've got so much mint growing I don't know what to do with it. I think I'll have to hold a Pimm's party.

"I realise my hobby is a bit of a contrast to my work life, but I don't think there's anything more satisfying than opening my shutters in the morning and seeing a difference in every single plant growing out there."

The mini-garden has created quite an impression amongst residents in Rik's neighbourhood.

He said it has been an excellent opportunity to get to know the people living around him.

"Many people have approached me to ask about the garden. Before I found people in the tenements a bit nervous and shy but it has provided a real talking point. I know everybody in my block now and I've noticed one or two more flower boxes go up.

"People might not expect somebody like me to be pottering around in the mud but I think it's hugely important to separate your work and home life.

"I think it is important to see things growing around you when you like in a town centre. When I'm on tour I'm in rock 'n' roll mode, but when I'm in Edinburgh I switch to gardening mode."

Jenny Mollison, secretary for Scotland Allotment Garden Society, applauded Rik for growing a garden from scratch and said: "It's so depressing to see unloved tenement gardens in such a beautiful city. Creating an allotment patch is lovely for the person producing it and for a neighbourhood."

The city council currently has 21 sites around the city, dotted with more than 1,000 allotments, but it is not easy to get your hands on some space.

There is a seven-year waiting list for plots and more than 2,000 people in the queue.

The council said it was hoping to increase the amount of allotment space in the near future.

A spokesman said: "Allotments continue to be extremely popular in Edinburgh so we are looking at a number of sites across the city and although nothing is confirmed, we are hopeful that we can provide some further space to add to the 1,200 existing plots."

Rik added: "I'm still signed up to the council waiting list because I would love some more space. I moved from London to the city to find a bit of beauty and I have found it, but an allotment would enhance my life even more."