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Published: 31 July, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

A PROJECT that brought 12-foot runner beans to front gardens in Finsbury Park has been so successful it is competing for a prestigious Britain in Bloom award.

As reported by the Tribune back in May, up to 120 residents joined a community gardening scheme based on the philosophy of the American Indians.

Now, the residents, who all live within hundreds of yards of bustling Finsbury Park station, are sharing produce. 

The beans, sweet corn and squash were all cultivated in large grow-bags in front gardens in half a dozen neighbouring streets, including Am­bler, Plimsoll, Prah, St Thomas and Monsell roads.

Explaining the 50-garden project, resident Naomi Schillinger, from Ambler Road, said: “It’s called the Three Sisters Project, based on the Native American idea that the three crops are complementary and thrive together.

“It’s been a fantastic community project. Every­one has been helping each other out. We assist the elderly and give advice to the novices. 

“Some people have been so impressed with the scheme that they have dug up their concrete front gardens and replaced them with plants and flowers.”

Anne Monaghan, a retired local government officer, is proud of her 12-foot runner beans, planted in a grow-bag back in May. 

“All I did was water them,” she said. “But the result was amazing. They are also very succulent and delicious to eat.”

Writer and Sunday Times journalist Nicolette Jones, who runs a neighbourhood newsletter and has lived in the area for 15 years, said that street gardening had really brought the community together. 

“We won half a dozen awards from Islington in Bloom last year. And now the council are submitting our scheme to Britain in Bloom, which is being judged on Tuesday.

“It all started off as a way of brightening and greening a fairly nondescript backwater of Finsbury Park. But street gardening has really taken off.

“It’s a great way of connecting with neighbours, swapping plants and improving the area.”