Santry Community Garden continues to bloom

TUCKED away at the back of Santry Demesne Public Park is a little oasis – a beautiful and historic Victorian walled garden now run by enthusiastic volunteers who have completely transformed it, with the co-operation of landowners Fingal County Council.

Santry Community Garden group was formed in 2010 with the aim of revitalising the garden and turning it into a wonderful amenity for the whole neighbourhood. From an empty, barren, locked up plot of 4½ acres, it now has a thriving kitchen garden, Heritage Orchard and ornamental section, and is the hub of many community activities.

The group has a large and diverse membership and have developed links with other volunteer and community groups which include the Conservation Volunteers, Santry ICA, Whitehall Beavers, Trees for Cities, OWLS and Dublin Community Growers.

Donna Callan of the Santry Community Garden group says:

“Since we started four years ago with a few vegetables in the back corner, we now have an apiary (with seven successful hives), a busy polytunnel and wildlife area, a social area/shelter for gardeners, a wishing well and bug hotel for kids and have raised beds suitable for those with limited mobility.

“In February 2013 we started a project to graft the National Collection of Heritage Variety Apple trees in our heritage Orchard (featured in the Irish Times) which has been funded through a successful tree sponsorship scheme.

“Most of the trees have been sponsored by local people and this in turn helps promote the garden as something which belongs to everyone in the locality, not just the people who work in it.

“The garden is open four times a week and gets lots of visitors, including tourists who are staying in the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“We provide training for all our members and have been able to offer work experience to Horticulture students as well as an opportunity for unemployed people to utilise their skillsets through the TUS initiative.

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Fingal County Council put the Garden forward for the national Pride of Place Awards and the group members are keeping their (green) fingers crossed that they will do well when the results are announced.

The Santry Community Garden isn’t run like allotments – plots of land aren’t given out to individuals. Instead everyone gardens together in one communal plan. The four and half acre site has to be kept as a cohesive plot in keeping with its history.

Donna explains:

“We have a shed where we keep all of the tools. All the seeds and plants are provided and our members can turn up at any of the gardening open times and work with us.

“We have lead gardeners who develop a weekly To Do list and there is always someone ‘on duty’ who knows what needs to be done.

?Some people like working in a team to definite directions whereas other more experienced gardeners will often take responsibility for particular areas or jobs and work on those at their own pace (to an agreed plan with the lead gardeners). It’s a large plot so you can always ‘escape’ other people if that’s what you want.

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Donna says the big plus for this type of project is that there is no outlay as all the tools and materials are provided.

“You can pick up loads of tips and you get a huge variety of work to do and experience growing many types of vegetables and plants,

? she says.

“Whoever is working at any given session is able to share in whatever is ready to harvest that day so there is a constant stream of lovely vegetables available.

“This system means you can dip in and out, as and when you like. If you want to come twice a week that is wonderful but equally so we have many members who just come three or four times a year and that too is fine.

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The garden opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 1pm; Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm; and Fridays from 2pm to 4pm. Membership is e20 for the year or e10 for concessions. New members are always welcome.

“We are a very friendly bunch and each garden session is punctuated by a tea break,

? adds Donna.

“The kettle and gas ring is definitely one of the most vital pieces of equipment!

More information can be found at www.santrycommunitygarden.ie or by emailing [email protected]