Kingston Orchard Project started on Knollmead Allotments site in Tolworth at the end of April 2010. We designed this allocated land to resemble a forest garden for temperate climates.

As part of Agroforestry Network, we consult our ideas with Martin Crawford, the author of Creating a forest garden and president of Agroforestry Research Trust, as well as other projects. This network is over 500 members strong. More inspiration comes from Mark Diacono and his first in UK garden for climate change. We have a pool of 30+ volunteers as well as a weekly help from Kingston Young Offenders Team, whose energy and enthusiasm proves a valuable contribution to the project.

In January 2011 we became Capital Growth space and on 31st of that month their team came to our fruit trees planting session. We bought trees, seeds and shrubs using an environmental grant from Kingston borough awarded last September.

There is still a long way to go to prepare the site for groundcover planting, bee-friendly plants for an apiary we are planning to create and some shelter for weather protection. As well as growing edibles, we are creating a nursery for propagating new plants and trees that we can sell locally to support our project long-term. But with support coming from the Council Environmental Services, Quadron, Transition Town Kingston, Capital Growth, Permaculture Association, Project Dirt, John Lewis, Young Offenders Team and individuals who care about our success, we are confident that we can create a great local example of an innovative use of land and a great educational centre for our borough and visitors from further afield.