Vegies and flowers are not the only things growing in the community garden plot next door to Enliven Carruth’s Day Service in Tauranga. Friendship, skills, and neighbourly pride are also flourishing in Plot 39.
Several day service members have taken a keen interest in the allotment since it was built last year. It wasn’t long before they were harvesting vegetables for the programme’s midday meals and picking flowers to add colour to the tables. Scarecrows made by children from a local day care centre watch over their handiwork from a neighbouring plot.
Team leader Linda-Jane Rowell says the community garden brings people together and supports clients in reaching some of their goals. “It’s great for the mind, body and spirit. They even get to take some produce home and are very proud of their efforts,” she said.
The gardeners agree that working in the garden does them a power of good. “It’s good to feel useful and see something for the effort put in,” says Mike.
