"THIS year has been crazy," says Robin Baxter with a smile, pouring me a steaming cup of tea from his flask.

"Honestly, we've harvested two tonnes of pumpkins and squashes so far, two tonnes! Luckily everybody seems to be loving them."

Robin is taking some time out to give me a tour of the Ecoworks market garden – based on the Hungerhill allotments in St Ann's – in between harvesting the produce and showing locals how to grow it.

Robin spends the best part of his week working for Ecoworks, which is rapidly turning into one of Nottingham's largest community projects. "We have loads of volunteers here," he tells me, "and this is just one garden. We've got 25 altogether on the allotment, and three other sites."

One of these sites – the new Ecoworks headquarters at the Old Upper School in Brewsters Road – is having a half-term event to celebrate what he tells me has been an "amazing harvest".

Ecoworks wants people of all ages to enjoy themselves by getting outside for the Pumpkin Festival, taking place from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday.

There will be hot food, crafts and a produce sale, and it's all part of Ecoworks' plan to put people back in touch with their food – thinking about where it comes from, how it is grown, and, most importantly, how we can all take part.

"It's all about getting people active in their community working on this really important issue of sustainable food," Robin says.

"It gives so much to people; you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a quiet and natural place in the middle of the city, and getting out with nature makes such a difference to your lifestyle. It's just healthier." We sip on our tea. "More fun, too," he adds.

And that is exactly the point of next Wednesday. The Ecoworks Pumpkin Festival will be a celebration of what everybody has grown and achieved together – whether at Ecoworks or any other garden.

"The Brewsters Road garden is there for local people. Most people who live in the city don't have much green space to enjoy or grow food in, we're trying to give them that in the middle of their community," says Robin.

"Wednesday is partly a reward for those people – the ones who have come in every week since April. They've made friends, learned things and grown loads of food, and now they're going to show everyone else how much fun they've had doing it."

Ecoworks has been growing 18 different varieties of pumpkins and squashes, all known for their unique flavours.

As part of the Pumpkin Festival there will be a competition to find the biggest, smallest and weirdest pumpkins.

Hot food will be served by local growers, and people can also make lanterns and bird feeders.

Produce and preserves will be on sale, and people can pick seeds from sunflowers.

To enter the pumpkin competition people need to bring them in by 1pm on the day and, if possible, phone Ecoworks in advance. Robin says: "They really are the best in local, seasonal and tasty produce.

"We're actually looking to get the pumpkins and squashes into restaurants and gastropubs at the moment, so if any body wants some..." he laughs, telling me that orders have been flooding in already.

To get involved with volunteering or the produce sales at Ecoworks visit www.ecoworks.org.uk, or telephone 0115 9622200.