It is five years since the North East Valley Community Garden was founded, and with plenty of community support it is still growing strong.
From the first three plots, which were dug in March, 2011, the popular community garden has grown to fill what was once a boggy, disused field above North East Valley Primary School.
There are now multiple beds of edible plants, from carrots, parsnips, beans and courgettes to asparagus and fennel, a growing tunnel for tomatoes, several sheds and no less than six compost bins.
Garden secretary Jenny Roxborogh said the garden had developed steadily over the years, with the support of the Valley Project, Transition Valley, and local people.
‘‘We have been given all sorts of things by local people which have helped with the garden - from corrugated iron to use for raised garden beds to old carpet to use for paths, and unused garden sheds,'' Mrs Roxborogh said.
The Dunedin Botanic Garden had also chipped in with truckloads of soil, which were removed during a building project.‘‘We really have been very lucky with the materials we have been given,'' she said.
With about 60 active members from the local community, around a core steering group, the North East Valley Community Garden has developed a sustainable method of operation.
Working bees are held weekly - alternating on Saturdays and Sundays - with about 20 people generally coming along each time.
‘‘It is our policy that, when people come along and do some work at the working bee, they get to take home bags of vegetables,'' Mrs Roxborogh said.
Occasionally, produce was also donated to Foodshare.
The working bees were also a good opportunity for residents of the valley to meet and socialise, and people of all ages took part, she said.
‘‘We have children and students through to older people. There is a lovely, multi-generational feel to it.''
The North East Valley Community Garden will celebrate its fifth birthday with an open day on Saturday, March 12, from 9am to 12.30pm.
There will be a working bee running during the day, with morning tea at 10am and a barbecue at noon.
- by Brenda Harwood
