Growing momentum for community garden

The positive spirit around Picton’s new community garden project was palpable at its first official working bee on Thursday.

The new initiative, based on Huia St Reserve in Waikawa, aims to create a food forest and garden that will serve as a hub for local families, providing fresh produce and educational opportunities.

The project has already garnered significant support from the Council, Waste Management New Zealand and Clarke’s Drainage and Development to deliver mulch, as well as Thursday’s dedication from volunteers engaging in weeding, ripping up cardboard, and preparing the ground for planting.

“Even before our first official working bee, people were super keen to come and help, so it’s really exciting to kick off with this event and have community members come and help out during the school holidays”, said Community Garden project manager Amy Healey.

“Many people here today just wanted to spend their time helping out, chatting with others, and connecting with like-minded individuals - they were happy to do some weeding, rip up cardboard, and just be part of something for the community.”

The project also includes plans for an educational space, complete with potting sheds, tool sheds and a big tree in the middle.

Garden designer Christo Saggers from Collaborative Design Studio emphasized the importance of community involvement, both now and into the future

“It’s always good to put the spade in the ground and make progress - the design is done, but it’s a concept that can be modified as things go as we get more contributions.”

“This space will produce a bit of food for families, educate people, and raise awareness of what they can do - everything will have a purpose.”

And as the weather gets colder, Amy says that there will be plenty of opportunities over winter for people to contribute in their own little way.

“Signs Now has been instrumental in creating signage for the garden - we’re just waiting for the ink to dry today, and then we can update people walking past on how they can get involved and provide progress updates.”

“We’ve also just had great conversations with passers-by who are keen to be involved, so if everyone does their little bit to help over winter, we’ll be in a great position come spring.”