Community garden ready to sprout

Hopes of a community grown space nourishing both minds and stomachs in Picton have now come true.

The Waitohi Picton Community Garden at the end of Huia Street was officially opened last Wednesday, with stakeholders from across the supporting community attending.

After an official groundbreaking last August setting years of planning in physical motion, Envirohub Marlborough’s Amy Healey said the new space was for all to benefit from and the culmination of the efforts of many pushing in the right direction.

“In a time when food costs are rising and wellbeing matters more than ever, this garden is a win for Picton. Our hope is that this space becomes more than a garden, a place to grow food, but also to connect, share skills, make friends and enjoy being in nature.

“Wendy and Ailie, in this role before me, did the heavy lifting and thanks for their incredible work I got to come in and do the fun stuff of opening this wonderful place.

“Our founding members Linda and Trevor, Wendy, Nikki and Ray, who helped shape the early direction of this garden and get it off the ground, and Christo from Collaborate Design has been with us through every stage, adjusting plans, solving problems and helping us build something solid and long lasting.

“It is also a moment we honour the Sim whanau whose family lived and gardened here well before us. Their connection to this land is part of its story. We’re proud to continue the gardening tradition and that day last August marked the beginning of something real and tangible we’ve made today.

“One year on, you can see how the gardens have literally grown with the support of many, including a large number of volunteers, the support of the District Council and Te Atiawa, Marlborough businesses and supportive funders, we’ve literally grown the gardens and we’re not stopping here”.

Much donated labour and unique donations like Marlborough Lines providing hardwood cross arms from old wooden powerlines reused into garden beds, to now securing funding for a part time position as Garden Manager and an upcoming education shelter.

But Amy gives the most credit to the volunteer base, whether having helped the build or eager to join.

“You’ve turned up to working bees, given up your weekends and until today, even had to jump the fence to get in instead of our new entrance. The garden is yours, and to the schools and homeschool groups have used the gardens as an outdoor classroom, thank you for bringing the first of much learning and life into the space”.

Mayor Nadine Taylor, who recalled the original plans being submitted by Linda Thompson when she was a councillor and “couldn’t be prouder to have been there at the start when the first request was made and to just quietly help support over the time”.

“This Garden is built on really solid foundation, because we know it’s been driven by people who absolutely believe in this and want to deliver it.

“I have to say that your councillors, Barbara and Raelene and Ben in particular, have picked up the cause more so at Council than I, so they should be standing up here and cheering on this wonderful conclusion.”