Today (April 4) is the start of Community Garden Week and we’re talking to South East Water's Head of Communications, Rob Crumbie about the advantages of community gardening.
Rob takes care of a plot on an allotment and grows plenty of fruit and vegetables and reaps the benefits of gardening as a community.
How did you get into community gardening?
I was lucky enough to be able to rent an allotment about 13 years ago, when I had a bit more time on my hands, and had probably watched too much of the Good Life. I was sitting in bed one morning having a cup of tea and mentioned to my wife how much sun our front garden got, and how it would be a great place to grow a few fruit & veg. I think I scared my wife, as unbeknown to me she made a few calls and managed to secure a council allotment the same day!
What would you say the advantages to having an allotment are?
I think the benefits are on two levels; there’s the obvious benefits of growing your own fruit & veg, the taste and flavour and that you know where everything has come from. On the other hand, it’s so lovely to be outdoors and meet new people in the community. You can quite easily go to your allotment and let your brain relax – some of my best ideas and thinking have happened whilst working on the allotment.
What benefit do you think a community garden has on our environment?
I think it keeps us connected and reminds us of how much important our environment is to us. It’s a microcosm of the relationship we have with the earth. Getting the balance right on an allotment is important, as it is with our relationship with the planet.
What is your favourite gardening tip?
Early on, when I was a little ‘green’ at the allotment and feeling a bit despondent when all I seemed to do was feed the local bug life, a seasoned gardener said to me, “no matter what you do, nature will always win”. So working with nature has become my mantra.
Whether it be the health benefits, helping the environment or socialising and taking care of your mental health, community gardening is very advantageous.
If you enjoy community gardening- please send us pictures of yours on our Facebook(opens in a new tab), Instagram(opens in a new tab) or Twitter(opens in a new tab) . We would love to share your efforts with our followers and lots of other like-minded gardeners!
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