Vege patch is bursting with life
The guardians of a popular community vegetable patch that’s doubled in size are just getting started.
Neville Green is a mentor at the Manurewa teaching gardens in Maich Rd.
‘‘It’s gone from 18 plots to 36 in 12 months,’’ he says. ’’We’ve completely revamped the whole thing.’’
Paths have been installed between plots and an empty ditch has been filled with earth to create more growing space.
Plastics manufacturer Marley donated the piping used for drainage.
The gardens are run by volunteers and give locals the chance to grow whatever vegetables they like to then take home and eat.
All it costs to get involved is a $20 donation every six months.
‘‘That’s a contribution to the cost of seeds and fertiliser,’’ Green says.
‘‘We supply enough seed to get people going. Absolute beginners are welcome as we’re on-site and we help each other.’’
Among the newest developments at the gardens is construction of a multi-purpose shelter using discounted materials bought at the Tamaki ITM building supplies store in East Tamaki.
‘‘We’ve got tables and a floor to go into it,’’ Green says. ’’It will serve as a teaching or social area and somewhere for people to have lunch.’’
Tamaki ITM manager Grant Clegg says the business was keen to back the positive initiative.
‘‘We like to get involved with things like school and community groups where we can.’’
The shelter’s materials were bought using a $5000 grant from the Manurewa Local Board.
Green says the spring growing season starts at the end of September so it’s a good time for new people to get involved.
Fellow mentor Doug Hawkins says the fresh produce he’s enjoyed from the gardens recently includes radishes, which he says have ‘‘great flavour’’.
‘‘You can put them in a stir-fry and there’s also cabbage and cauliflower, lettuce, which you can grow year round, and peas and carrots.
‘‘We show people how to dig up the garden and put lime on it, put in the seeds or whatever they want to do and away they go. They love it.’’
The gardens are at 95R Maich Rd. Working days for members are from 9am to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays.