With so many keen gardeners and allotment holders in Brighton and Hove, it’s hardly surprising that Melanie Rees, creative director of the Green Centre, felt there was potential in the city for a lot more people to be more growing their own food.

Picking up on an idea from the Women’s Land Army in Sussex in the 1940s who grew a Mile of Potatoes as part of the war effort, Mel thought a 2012 recreation of this achievement would be a fun way to encourage local people to grow their own food.

But while the Land Army was ‘digging for victory’, Mel’s potato army will be ‘digging for sustainability’. And what better crop could there be to pick for gardening recruits than that great British staple, the potato?

The Green Centre has teamed up with Craven Vale Children’s Allotment for this project and they are supported by Harvest Brighton & Hove.

'We want people to feel part of a community project,' comments Melanie, who encourages planters whatever their level of gardening experience to join in.

How does it work?

The best planting time for spuds is March and April and there are workshops available to help budding gardeners.

The way it works is that anyone growing potatoes in Brighton & Hove in Spring 2012 informs the Green Centre when the leaves start to show. For every potato plant grown, the team then adds one foot to the Women's Land Army’s original route map. To complete a mile, 5,280 plants are needed.

How can you get involved?

Go to the Green Centre’s website for more information and to register your interest.

Source ethical grow-your-own gardening organisations at

Gardening not for you? Find out more about ethical food shopping here.