THE fruits of a scheme to recruit more volunteer gardeners will be showcased next month.

The Pioneering Care Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, is inviting the public to view its community garden on Wednesday, September 24, from 10am to noon.

It is part of Edible Gardens, the nation’s biggest community garden open day, which last year saw 4,000 people across the UK visit a garden.

In March, the centre, in Carers Way, welcomed more helpers to tend to its beds, borders and vegetable patch when it took part in the Big Dig, a national garden volunteering scheme.

This was followed by the launch of Pot to Plate, a 16-week course that offered practical tips on growing vegetables and cultivating fruit and herbs.

The Edible Gardens open day will be a chance for volunteers to showcase their good work and share their produce with the community.

Visitors will be able to tour the garden, which includes a wildlife corner, hedgehog hotel, allotments and greenhouses.

There will also be a chance to sample some free homegrown and homemade food.