After 18 months of tiling, weeding, planting, pruning and watering the Ashburton Community Garden is ready for its official opening this Saturday.
Eager volunteers have been working on establishing the gardens, located on Wills St, behind the Salvation Army Family Store, since mid-2024.
Today, the garden is flourishing with taro, cabbages, beetroot, carrots, beans, broccoli, tomatoes, corn, cauliflower, potatoes, beans, spinach, courgettes, spring onions, herbs, strawberries, sun flowers, herbs and fruit trees.
The opening event will include tours of the gardens, refreshments and a talk about the project, along with the opening by Mayor Liz McMillan.
Ashburton Art Gallery is partnering with the community garden to offer people the opportunity to contribute to community artwork that will go on permanent display at the garden.
Garden co-ordinator Carole McFarlane said a core group of volunteers turn up on Saturdays and now she is working 10 hours a week, the garden is open on two week days as well.
The gardens were set up to provide accessible gardens including wide paths and raised beds to enhance well being in Ashburton.
‘‘The gardens are great, its not only about growing veges, but it provides a place for people to connect with each others, share tips and learn from each other,’’ McFarlane said.
Community groups such as the Chris Ruth Centre visit to assist with the planting and maintenance.
Plans for the future include workshops on a variety of topics such as worm farming, composting, preserving and fermenting, seed saving and questions and answer sessions.
‘‘I’m an avid gardener, who feels very in touch with nature when I am in the garden.
‘‘There is a spiritual feeling growing and being among nature,’’ MacFarlane said.
The produced that is harvested is shared among the volunteers who tend the garden, taken to older folk in the community and used through the food banks at St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army.
Volunteer Peter Murray said those helping in the gardens do not need to know a lot.
‘‘There are people here who are happy to share their tips and knowledge for gardening,’’ Murray said.
For Murray it was exciting to see the garden develop and the passion people have for gardening.
Volunteers are welcome to join the team tending the gardens which are open each Monday 10am to 11.30am, Thursday 1.30pm – 3pm and Saturday 9am – noon.
– The official opening of the Ashburton Community Gardens, on Wills St behind the Salvation Family Store, is from 10am to noon on Saturday. On wet or fine.
More information about the garden, check out their Facebook page, AshburtonCommunityGarden
