Going for growth – Merriweather Court estate’s vegetable garden on move to bigger home

Published: 8 October, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

AN embankment at an Archway block of flats is to be turned into a vegetable garden under plans unveiled by tenants this week.

The scheme, backed by the Town Hall, will enable residents on the Merriweather Court estate, in Tremlett Grove, to grow their own vegetables and herbs, saving money and providing a new hobby.

One of the organisers behind the scheme, Mohammad Sarwar, 56, said: “We currently have a small vegetable garden which will be turned into a ball park for children. 

“We aim to transfer to the large embankment, which is 25 feet by 75 feet and will give us more scope to grow food on a larger scale.”

The 15 gardeners are currently growing courgettes, spinach, runner beans, potatoes, tomatoes, beetroot, carrots, cabbage, coriander, garlic and parsley.

Mr Sarwar, secretary of the residents’ group on the 92-homes estate, said: “Growing your own food saves you lots of money. You can buy a small pack of courgettes from the supermarket for £1 but you can grow them for a few pennies.”