The CCT Edible Garden Group Get Stuck In

The CCT Edible Garden Group (from left to right): Ange, Tara, Hannah, Leanne (not pictured: Bridie and Gavin)

The Community Care Trust Edible Garden Group are no slouches! This friendly and cooperative group meet every Thursday and Friday, eager to get stuck into weeding, watering, and ultimately harvesting from their pride and joy: a small but bountiful garden that boasts silverbeet, potatoes, yams, tomatoes, parsley, sweet peas, and a small apple tree. They’re also lucky enough to have a huge established walnut tree that gifts countless nuts every March and April.

As Tara, a gardener and keen organiser says ‘The best part of it is being together with my friends and taking care of the veggies. It’s nice to stay active and do stuff together’. One of her fellow members, Ange, is more straightforward. ‘I just love my silverbeet!’

Strategic meeting: The group discuss how to achieve their garden goals.

They have big plans too. Thanks to a small grant from the Ministry of Social Development (administered by OFN), they’re planning on further developing their worm farm, expanding the garden by building another raised bed, and putting in a sturdy garden shed to keep their tools safe.

The group doesn’t just garden though. They love to take trips to interesting natural places around Ōtepoti and just raised money for a trip to the Orokanui Ecosanctuary by selling raffle tickets. Prizes donated by generous local businesses included high quality gardening tools, vegan seitan-making kits, and much more. If you’re interested in supporting this awesome group in the future, feel free to contact CCT Peer Coordinator, Hannah, at HannahRo@cct.org.nz.

CCT Edible Garden Group Raffle Sheet