Grandview Community Garden is a multi-cultural community with over 16 languages spoken by gardeners who all share a delight in growing food and gardening together.

Margaret McQuillan is the Grandview Community Garden Co-ordinator. She says it’s important to share and learn the skills of growing healthy food as so much of this is linked to good health and well-being.

“At Grandview we garden organically, using sustainable methods, saving seeds, harvesting rainwater and making compost and worm teas. Our aim is to educate people in growing healthy, nutritious food for themselves and their families and to have respect for the environment, themselves and each other” says Margaret.

Grandview Community Garden welcomes all people, and they get a wide range of people from: those who just want to get out in the fresh air; renters who may not be able to garden at their own rental; retirees looking to share their knowledge; those with an interest in organics; and those who may be new to Hamilton who want to meet people and join in a community activity.

“More and more we are greeting people who have never had their hands in the soil, sown a seed, or harvested a carrot. It is a joy to see people react with delight to the sight of a bed they have just learned to till, ready to plant, or the first fresh shoots of their seeds bursting up towards the daylight” says Margaret.

Grandview Community Garden Trust oversees a community garden with 35 vegetable plot allotments, alongside a community fruit orchard and a rongoa garden all on Salvation Army land in Nawton. The garden community consists of member gardeners, volunteers, Trustees, 3 paid contractors and a keen group of friends and supporters, plus Facebook followers. The public joins in for working bees, workshops and social times.

“We teach resilience and skills which, once learned, are never lost and can be passed on from one generation to another. We all learn from each other and with so many nationalities we enjoy sharing our cultures too and the food is amazing!” says Margaret.

It is free to have a plot and the Trust supplies tools for the use of gardeners, some seeds and seedlings, and runs regular sessions to teach the art of gardening and to involve people in the social aspects of gardening in an open space.

If you are interested in being involved, contact grandviewcommunitygarden@gmail.com

Grow your own food at the Grandview Community Garden

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