Community gardens team celebrates 4th birthday

August 21st, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

Uptake of rented allotments at the Motueka Community Gardens has been so strong that there is now a waiting list for plots, the group's AGM was told in Tuesday.

The gardens have been developed since September 2010 into a thriving area on old wasteland, operated by an enthusiastic and innovative group of people. The AGM this week was a lively event, reflecting the enthusiasm that remains within the group.

In her report to the meeting, chairwoman Adrienne Henry said that during the past year several facilities have been improved. Areas of common use that previously suffered from wet weather traffic have been paved, making work there more pleasant.

The number of irrigation water outlets has been increased to cater for the broader area under garden, and a prominent tunnel house has been built.

The committee had considered expanding the cultivated area even further back southward from Old Wharf Road, but decided to focus on the area that was already tamed and ensure that was operating efficiently.

As a result, a proposal for a food forest to the south in grazing land was put aside for now. In addition, there would be no further expansion to allow more rented private allotments, so a waiting list will be set up.

Plots rented out at $1 per square metre per year provided the trust $1206 during the past financial year, and this helps ensure the operation is sustainable. The main operating costs after fencing have been $942 for equipment repairs and $310 for seeds, plants and fertiliser.

The committee have planted out two large beds in garlic, sales from which they will use to provide funds for daily operations and place less reliance on external grants.

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