Vege garden set to grow

Hutt City Council’s Green Team did a great job sowing the first organic seedlings in a custom-built vegetable garden designed to show people how easy it is to grow their own greens.

The raised bed, outside the old Plunket rooms near War Memorial Library, will be used by the Green Team to educate the community, particularly school groups, on sustainability, healthy food choices, exercise and community resilience.

Vegetables grown will be harvested by the team and donated to those in need. Any leftovers will be used in council’s café or by the Green Team.

Environmental sustainability manager Jez Partridge says the trial garden will initially be maintained by members of the Green Team but he hopes the public and other council staff will be inspired to dig in too.

“We’ll be putting up signs in the garden explaining anyone wanting to help out with weeding, watering, pruning or harvesting is welcome to get involve. The signs will explain who they need to contact.

“We want the garden to involve the community and if it is successful there may be opportunity for more gardens.

"The first seedlings to be planted will be vegetables such as cabbage, garlic, pak choy, silverbeet and broccoli, alongside companion plants such as marigolds and herbs.

The vegetable garden was built by workers from Earthlink using a border of untreated macrocarpa filled with weed-free organic compost-soil mix.

Make sure you check it out next time you're passing. If you want to help out in the garden contact Jez on 570 6966.