My First Veg Plot - 'A Reluctant Gardener'
My name is Iain Philpott and I’m a photographer/filmmaker. I have never previously warmed to gardening, my leisure time spent sailing and canoeing since I was a small child. My parents were keen outdoors people but never gardeners. Under lockdown I needed to find an interest to occupy my weekends. At the beginning of lockdown the weather was really beautiful and as family (kids home from uni) we spent quite a bit of time collecting our thoughts about these strange times in the garden. And that got me thinking. I love food, I love cooking so why not try growing some. I also had recollections of stories my father told me about the food rationing and queues during WW2 and the Dig For Victory campaign. I did some research and felt the Dig for Victory campaign was as relevant today as it was back then.
My project of ‘A Reluctant Gardener’ was born.
It is very much a 'visual diary' of stills & video documenting my journey. It has given great joy in these difficult times and am just sharing here. Please do take a look here! https://www.iainphilpott.co.uk/Blog/Corona-Lockdown-A-Reluctant-Gardener-Project


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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/16/my-lockdown-spring-watch-a-photo-essay
Did feel the spirit of it though this year, it really felt like the veg plot had new meaning and purpose. One of my best years ever, really interesting to see you documented your first attempt.
It will though get addictive and eventually totally absorbing, until you end up wanting to spend the rest of you entire life doing nothing but tending veg, just a friendly warning.
I'm loving the documenting. It's very different to what I would normally shoot so the crossover artistically is challenging but really rewarding.
You are absolutely right. It is addictive. The first thing I do in the morning is go out and check my plants! I'm really enjoying the whole experience and am aiming to film some fab veg recipes when I start to harvest!
And you are absolutely right, I've caught the gardening virus! I couldn't be happier!