The Local - Mt VictoriaHelping out in Mt Victoria’s community gardens could help you meet people, get fit, learn more about horticulture, enjoy nature and it might even get you some kai. Jane O’Loughlin took a tour.
Volunteers at the Innermost Gardens at the base of Mt Victoria’s town belt are there for many reasons, and only some of them are about actually growing food to eat.
For example, Viv Winter has been involved with the gardens for around nine years, but confesses she’s ‘not a great gardener’.
For her, volunteering was a way of meeting people in the community.
Rory Sedgley wanted to spend some time outside in the fresh air and grow some food. He has an allotment in the gardens, and helps out with the compost and grass cutting as well.
“It's a good group of people to hang out with on a Sunday morning. It's nice to be part of the community.”
Becky James moved to Mt Victoria a year and a half ago, and was looking for something to make her feel more ‘grounded’.
“I love gardening and being outside but I live in a flat, like a very small space, so it was a good way to do that in a friendly environment.”
Sandy Morris, who is the allotment coordinator doesn’t have an allotment herself, but loves to spend time at the gardens.
“I come along because I live in an apartment and I like being outside and I just find it a wonderful place to be.”
All of this paints a picture of an activity that is more about companionship and enjoying nature, with a side benefit of producing food.
The Innermost Gardens is a charitable trust, and run by a committee. They pay the Wellington City Council a peppercorn rent for the area including the hall, which they rent out to groups as a way of fundraising.
Part of the garden area is for the community, with fruit trees and vegetable beds producing kai to share.
Other parts of the garden are set aside for allotments where people are growing vegetables or fruit for their personal use. There is around a six-month waiting list for an allotment.
One part of the gardens that is well used is the compost bins. Apartment dwellers and those without their own way to dispose of scraps can often be seen swinging a bucket on their way to deposit their food scraps.
Over summer, there were a few grumbles from users that the bins were full.
This is because the volunteers who maintain the bins take a break over summer – but evidently those wanting to make use of the compost bins do not.
Morris says there is something users can do to address that issue – come and help.
“It’s run by volunteers. If the bins are full they have to take their compost home. But they can come and help at the next working bee!”
Indeed, volunteers are very welcome. Tasks include weeding, scything grass, turning compost – any help is appreciated, and you might get to take some produce home at the end of it.
What’s more, you might make some friends as well.
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