If you want an example of how to do a community garden well, Islington’s Culpeper Community Garden is it. Encircled by trees, this organic garden has a lawn, ponds, rose pergolas, a wildlife area and 49 vegetable plots (including 2 with raised beds for disabled gardeners), a tool shed and compost bin. Members chat over tea in the hut or on the sun terrace, or simply watch wildlife from garden benches.
The garden was thought up by a local teacher, who took a peek through a hole in a high wall and saw a ‘bomb site’. And decided this wasted space needed some love and care, and could become a relaxing oasis in the city.
After finding out that the demolished street had been named after the 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, she knew the garden was meant to me, and named it after him! After securing funding, a local architect drew up plans for free, and the garden began to take shape.
After funding was temporarily cut a few years ago, there was such an outcry from local residents that one councillor said he had never had so many letters on one subject. So half the grant was returned, with other funding coming from local donations and charities.
The local wildlife love this garden as much as the people. There’s a bog garden which frogs and toads love (the natural slug control) along with undisturbed nettles and brambles for insects. Woodlice, spiders and centipedes have set up home in the ‘mini-beast mansion’ and dragonflies and birds hover and sing.
Start Your Own Community Garden
Inspired to start something similar? Let’s Plant & Grow Together is a guide to starting a community garden, by organic pioneer Ben Raskin. Learn how to transform neglected plots of land into green flourishing spaces.
Use no-dig gardening and fruit protection bags (over netting, which can trap birds and wildlife). Learn how to create pet-safe gardens (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Use garden shears over strimmers (to protect frogs and hedgehogs). Store shared tools safely (use RCD plugs to cut off power if needed).
The book examines the history of community gardens and their benefits, before offering planning advice and etiquette tips, along with information on soil fertility, fundraising, business plans, access rights, marketing and guerilla gardening (slightly illegal!) Includes a directory of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers ideal for community gardens.
A community garden is an urban oasis, for people to relax and enjoy nature. RHS has a useful to-do list on how to create one, from contacting your local council to find land to plant on, to buying insurance, finding volunteers and knowing the best items to plant and landscape with.
Petworth Community Garden has created a Men’s Shed where local blokes can get together to meet up and have a natter, while gardening or use given tools to make bat houses and safe bird houses etc to help local wildlife over a cuppa or two. Ensure birdhouses are plain to RSPB standards (tin bright-coloured ones can overheat and attract predators – read more on creating safe havens for garden birds).
