Nestled in the heart of the Highlands, Inverness Botanic Gardens has been a beacon of nature, education, and inclusivity for over 20 years. Functioned by High Life Highland, this vibrant garden sanctuary is home to the GROW Project, a transformative initiative providing adults with additional support needs the chance to develop practical horticultural skills while enhancing their confidence, health, and independence.
A Thriving Community Space
The GROW Project is more than just a garden; it is a dynamic hub featuring polytunnels, vegetable plots, compost piles, public gardens, and woodland areas. Open Monday to Friday, the project hosts workshops and activities that invite the community to connect with nature and each other.
In a bid to make year-round gardening possible, Inverness Botanic Gardens successfully secured funding from the Common Good Fund, a Highland Council initiative supporting community-benefiting projects. The goal? To outfit their polytunnels with adaptable, sustainable planters capable of supporting fruits, vegetables, and flowers year-round.
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QUICKBLOCK: Innovation Meets Sustainability
The team needed a solution that was long-lasting, the regularly used traditional wooden sleepers require continual maintenance and replacement, and the GROW project wanted more sustainable product that was more cost effective. They also required a product that was flexible, easy to assemble, and inclusive, catering to participants with varying physical abilities. That is when Rona, a gardener at the Botanic Gardens with a background in design, discovered QUICKBLOCK, a modular building system made from 100% recycled plastic. Recognising its potential, Rona selected QUICKBLOCK to bring the vision to life.
Year-Round Growth, Endless Possibilities
Thanks to QUICKBLOCK, the polytunnels are now flourishing with semi-permanent planters growing everything from tomatoes and grapes to kale, broccoli, and carrots. Rona shared her thoughts on the decision:
We chose QUICKBLOCK due to the innovative design, the fact they are made from 100% recycled plastic, and their inclusivity. The blocks are so easy to assemble that the whole community could get involved in building the planters. The QUICKBLOCK team went above and beyond, offering a demo kit, assisting with the planning, and providing technical advice.
Rona MacFarlane
Gardener
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
At QUICKBLOCK, we are thrilled to see our product empowering communities and contributing to sustainable, impactful projects like the GROW initiative. The use of recycled materials in our blocks aligns perfectly with the values of both the garden and the planet-loving participants who make it thrive.
Got a project for QUICKBLOCK?
Do you have a project that could benefit from QUICKBLOCK’s versatility? Whether it is for gardening, education, or community initiatives, we would love to help bring your ideas to life.
Contact us at +44 (0)1786 643939 or email us at info@quickblock.uk. Together, let us create spaces where communities can grow, flourish, and connect.
