Street gardening... the idea that kept growing
Judges from Britain in Bloom will visit pioneering project based on Native American crops
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.”
Comments
Misquote
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-08-04 10:38.Just to put the record straight, I never described my neighbourhood as a "non-descript backwater" and never would. It is nothing of the sort, and never has been. I think it is a rich and varied area, a quiet haven between three parks, with attractive Victorian terraces, a strong sense of community, interesting shops and wonderful people - a perfect location for a community gardening project, in fact.
Apart from that, thank you for a nice piece.
Nicolette Jones
Nondescript backwater
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2010-08-03 10:47.May I just put it on record that I did not describe my neighbourhood as a 'nondescript backwater'. I never would. I think it is rich and varied, a quiet haven between three parks, with a strong community, interesting shops, excellent transport, and wonderful people. The perfect place for a community gardening project, in fact.
Other than that, thanks, Peter for a lovely piece.
Nicolette Jones
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