. I know we are just there to teach these families what to do, so sometimes it was a little difficult not to tell them what they could and couldnt plant but my inital feeling was "let them learn by the mistakes", so I guided but did not come right out and say "no that wont work, or that wont grow there". We had set up five allotments with two raised gardens and one huge container of potatoes which we had already planted because we wished to provide them with xmas dinner. You can see one of the allotments under the sign.
We wondered how often the families would come in and assured the Salvation Army that if one or more families didnt come in or chose not to be involved anymore then the next family would just benefit because they would get the produce from the already planted garden.
Palmers Browns Bay recognise that there is a 'lost generation' of gardeners and have started a project called "Growing Great Communities Together" where families are learning how to plant and nurture a sustainable vegetable garden using mostly organic methods and New Zealand grown plants and materials.
In partnership with the Salvation Army, and with the help of sponsorship from a number of businesses associated with Palmers browns Bay, 5 families have been offered their own working gardens which have been created under guidance of the Palmers team. At the end of each season, the aspiring new gardeners will pass on their allotment to newly selected families allowing the Palmers team to pass on the skills of sustainable gardening to potentially hundreds of families.
The project started in late October and the families are already gaining experience, confidence, and enjoyment seeing the success of their growing vegetables.
Not only has this project been great for the families themselves, it has truly embraced the community by linking more experienced 'garden mentors' to the new 'garden apprentice' families.
