The allotment was originally created in 1952, when the estate was first built. and used until the late 1980`s, when it fell into disrepair and became a dumping ground. In 2010, ASCEND leased the land from Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) and started to rebuild the allotment and so Dig Deep was born. ASCEND merged with Watford and Three Rivers Trust (W3RT) in April 2024 and Dig Deep is now a project within the Trust. As a charity ASCEND is reliant on funding and donations.

Since 2010 over 100 volunteers, participants and staff of various ages, genders, backgrounds and physical ability have transformed Dig Deep into a full working allotment and a magical space hidden in between houses, where the birds sing and you can hardly hear the traffic.

People come to unwind, learn new skills in construction, horticulture, sustainability, improve their health and well– being and give back to the community. We use a variety of planting techniques and sustainable materials to attract wildlife and insects, and to support the environment.

We run courses on green woodworking, whittling, building bird houses, cold frames and fruit cages, making wild wood fences from sustainable Hazel and wood piles.  Our art, crafts and well-being courses in journalling, mindfulness, mosaic and relaxation techniques are held in this beautiful nature setting where you can learn, contribute and relax leaving your cares behind.

In the future we intend to hold classes in yoga, T’ai chi, movement and breathing techniques.  

There are differing levels of activity to appeal to a wide range of ages and capabilities. Dig Deep is an inclusive project meeting the needs of people with differing capabilities and activities include digging beds, cutting wood, building sheds, packing seeds, painting items to sell, planting in raised beds, light tasks or simply enjoying the rejuvenating experience of Dig Deep.

We have a high number of participants and volunteers with neurodiversity such as Autism and ADHD, and mental and physical health challenges who work together or take space and time alone in a safe and nourishing environment.

Lunch and tea breaks together create new friendships and opportunities to learn new skills and collaborate.  We grow food mostly from seeds and cuttings that is shared amongst participants and with the local food bank. We use green technologies like rainwater collection, solar power, recycling, repurposing, companion planting and a polytunnel. We make items to sell from the wood we cut down combined with arts and crafts. Sustainability is part of our daily practice: we make high quality compost as well as utilise wood we cut, and plan with the future of the Dig Deep and local community in mind.

We have a themed Alice in Wonderland Area and a beautiful multi-stemmed Hazel tree donated from the Queen Elizabeth’s Green Canopy “Tree of Trees” tree planting programme that is growing well.

Avril’s infamous experiments and love of ecology and nature are woven throughout Dig Deep, from the thriving Polytunnel to the old sneakers repurposed into bird homes with wooden rooftops and  the potatoes growing in their recycled old plastic containers. Every week something new and wonderful happens through the hard work of our volunteers and participants.

We rely on donations and recently had two hundred bluebells given to us. They are over 35 years old and were used to create a Bluebell path. A rose tree donated by the Watford Rural Parish council was walked down to us by a lovely workman and others have generously given us plants and other items.

Often plants can look dead but with loving care and our green fingers and thumbs they spring back to life.

Our “Pallet King” instructs others, including our younger participants, how to build tables, planters, sheds and raised beds from old pallets and other materials. The participants learn essential skills in woodwork, construction, repurposing, sustainability and the safe use of tools, whilst connecting to multiple generations as they carry out the tasks.

As well as encouraging spending time in nature and gardening, we also make items to sell. These bird boxes made from wood on the allotment were a hit along with our gardening tools kit and seeds.

To VOLUNTEER AT DIG DEEP please contact Avril, Dig Deep Co-Ordinator, on 07951882248