There are so many benefits to community gardening from learning about growing food to making friends.
They are all about sharing – both the work and the harvest and they can have very positive social, economic and environmental impacts in communities.
They create an awareness of the local area and can transform overgrown, unloved spaces into welcoming, vibrant places. Community gardens are usually open to all ages, from seasoned gardeners to complete beginners.
Learning by doing is the best way to develop confidence in new skills and participants are encouraged to practice what they’ve learnt in their own allotments, gardens or balconies.
Dee will be helping the following community gardens from early spring 2012. If you’re interested in joining the group please get in touch with the contact below.
Mondays: Millennium Court Community Centre, Kilkenny -
Penny on 056 7760187 (between 2pm – 6pm)
Wednesdays: Goresbridge Rural Development Office -
Breda on 059 977 5646 (between 10am – 1pm)
Fridays: Leighlinbridge Parish Centre -
Liz Dunne - 059 9722607 (between 9am – 1pm)
If you’re interested in setting up a Community Food Garden in the Carlow/Kilkenny/Kildare regions and you’d like some advice, contact Greenside Up for further information.
If you'd like to start a community garden up in your area, here's some tips on how to go about it. Some of the Goresbridge community gardeners share their Ten Reasons Why they enjoy it so much here.
Click here if you'd like to find out how Goresbridge developed their Community Garden in 2010.
Also, with thanks to James Bourke of www.biggerpictureweb.com, one of the Goresbridge community gardeners, a full gallery of photos of the garden from its inception in March 2010 are available on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/goresbridge_gardening/sets/72157624290711214/
Also, with thanks to James Bourke of www.biggerpictureweb.com, one of the Goresbridge community gardeners, a full gallery of photos of the garden from its inception in March 2010 are available on Flickr at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/goresbridge_gardening/sets/72157624290711214/
All Ireland Community Garden Network Group
Dee is currently coordinating the establishment of a new All Ireland Community Garden Network Group. If you’d like more information on it, or would like to be added to the mailing list, just send an email.
Community Gardening in Ireland?
If you’re involved with, or just interested in Community Gardening, then please follow the Irish Community Gardening Facebook and/or Twitter page:
GIY Ireland Community Garden Forum
GIY will be mapping all community gardens in the island of Ireland. In the meantime they have set up a forum on their website … gyyireland.com/group/166
“As a complete novice I got a good idea of what I need to do to start gardening – the pro’s & cons!!” – G Harding, Fenagh.