The Big Dandelion Harvest Weekend

A sign on a fence reads 'Dandelion'. Bunting is strung up above a garden patch in the foreground and there's a blue sky.

Photo: Dumi Visuals 2022

Since April, we've been inviting everyone to sow and grow with us. Between the 9 and 11 September, it was time to share what we've all grown: vegetables, stories, community and music. Together with partner organisations, unexpected gardens, communities and schools from all around Scotland we've marked the end of the growing season with the big Harvest Weekend. Here's what happened:

Schools Harvest

Over 400 schools across Scotland participated in our Dandelion Schools Growing Initiative this year, culminating in Harvests, where pupils got to taste food made from the harvest of 258,000 seed potatoes we sent out in Spring.

Unexpected Gardens

Most of Dandelion’s Unexpected Gardens hosted their Harvest on 10 and 11 September. From the field in Alness to Galgael’s Timberyard in Glasgow, from Forres to Lauriston Farm in Edinburgh, food made from the garden’s produce, stories and music was shared. It was a delight to experience the vibrancy, warmth, and radiance of these communities. The gardens have truly come a long way since their inception earlier this year, and are well worth a visit this autumn. Find an Unexpected Garden near you.

People sitting around a table with food. One person with a bright smile is turned towards the camera.

A closeup of someone's hands. They are putting colourful food in a takeaway food tray made out of brown, recycled cardboard.

A green card lying on a hardwood table reads: 'Harvest Toast: Here's to the harvest; To the food on our plate; To the soil that it came from; And a world without hate.

An audience are gathered on a green hill in the sunshine. They are all sitting down looking away from the camera towards a performance.

Dandelion Community Grant Harvest

Harvest expanded and was able to spread to more communities thanks to our partnership with BEMIS, Scotland. Together we supported 44 local community organisations around the country to host their own Harvest Celebrations. Community groups and organisations such as Cranhill Development Trust in Glasgow, as well as Forgan Art’s Centre in Dundee, Bridgend Farmhouse in Edinburgh and Uigshader Living Forest Project on Isle of Skye hosted vibrant harvests - Sharing food, stories, knowledge, and warmth with the whole community.

Six people are on a stage in a greenhouse decorated with bunting. A girl is talking into the microphone and the rest are smiling. A crowd of people are sat below the stage.

A group of people are standing in a garden. There are orange flowers in the foreground.

Bread on a table surrounded by greenery. Two brown bottles containing cordial are on the side.

A wall mural in a graphic design with roses. A text reads: Everyone's Welcome.

Harvest truly was a time for us to come together as a community to reflect on the season that passed, and what’s to come as a new growing year begin.

We hope you had a chance to visit a Harvest near you!

Future Harvest

Don’t worry if you missed out on Harvest. There are still opportunities to take part in one of the Harvest events taking place in October. More info available soon!