This month we’re shining the spotlight on two gardens with very different stories to tell: Eden Nature Garden, established since 2000; and the Friends of Max Roach Park who set up only last year.
Eden Nature Garden
Eden Nature Garden was established in 2000 as a community garden, turning an area of disused church land into a green, tranquil, inner city space. Eden’s aim is to create and maintain a sustainable habitat for wildlife and promote biodiversity by planting British native species and through organic gardening.
We met Eden’s community gardener, Benny Hawksbee, who told us about his approach to gardening for biodiversity. It was fascinating to learn about how he has adapted the planting to suit the tough environment, his reliance on drought tolerant plants and a low watering regime, and about creating wildlife habitats from recycled materials and brown waste. There was so much to learn and enjoy at this gorgeous garden.
The garden is located next to St Paul’s Church Clapham, off Matrimony Place which runs between Wandsworth Road and Rectory Grove, and is open for visitors, between sunrise and sunset, 7 days a week, so pop along and get inspired!
Friends of Max Roach Park
The Friends of Max Roach Park have been going for less than 18 months and have already made big steps to improve the facilities at this central Brixton park.
They have worked with Lambeth Council to secure new fencing around the children’s play area and much-needed lighting for the pathways. They have also organised monthly volutneer days where they have planted bulbs and flowers, and kept on top of weeding. When we visited, in mid-May, the lavender spiral was just about to flower and was looking fantastic.
We know how hard it can be to get a group up and running and we’d like to celebrate how much they have achieved in a short space of time.
