Early this October, my wish to be able to grow edibles in a patch of land near my home was granted. Apartment gardeners living in the newer estates like me hardly have the space and the most essential element, light, to be able to grow anything decent!
I must thank all the people who have given their support, which include my Advisor (Mrs Lim Hwee Hua), my Resident's Committee (Serangoon Zone 6), National Parks Board (Community in Bloom) and Aljunied Town Council was instrumental for all this to happen.
Now, I have the chance to lead a group of residents in this venture to showcase to the residents here how herbs and vegetables are grown, especially to the young ones who could have never seen how food is produced! It is also a good opportunity for me to interact with my fellow residents, especially the many senior citizens who are better farmers than me whom I have lots to learn from!
I was tasked to choose a site and to draw up a plan... I was given very little time, roughly about a month . The date of the launch of this garden was scheduled on 5 Nov 06 so as to coincide with the Clean and Green week.
Let's go for a chronological journey of how this community garden at Serangoon North appeared from ground zero...
This was how the original site looks - a field of green grass located just behind the spectators' gallery of a basketball court.
Construction commenced. The first thing that was done was to mark out the boundary of the garden.
Skipping the intermediate steps... The drain on the right had a dual purpose - it acted as both a retaining wall to prevent erosion as well as a means to channel heavy run-off away from the growing beds during a rain storm. Note that the terrian is inclined at an angle.
The front part of the garden designated for the growing of herbs and spices - the brick borders for the raised beds have been painstakingly built by the workers. Great work. The central circular patch is designated to be the spot where the Guest of Honour will be planting a small ornamental tree, Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans).
The rectangular raised beds located just behind the herb and spice garden meant for the growing of vegetables and herbs.
Soil was added into the raised beds and black compost was added as a soil conditioner (courtesy NParks). This was the final stage of construction. The hedge consisting of Eugenia oleana was also ready. This stage was roughly one week before the launch.
The medicinal herb garden was planted just two days before the launch. A million thanks to Margaret and William who have taken their precious time off to come to the garden to help with the planting. Without their effort, the garden won't be possible!
I must thank all the people who have given their support, which include my Advisor (Mrs Lim Hwee Hua), my Resident's Committee (Serangoon Zone 6), National Parks Board (Community in Bloom) and Aljunied Town Council was instrumental for all this to happen.
Now, I have the chance to lead a group of residents in this venture to showcase to the residents here how herbs and vegetables are grown, especially to the young ones who could have never seen how food is produced! It is also a good opportunity for me to interact with my fellow residents, especially the many senior citizens who are better farmers than me whom I have lots to learn from!
I was tasked to choose a site and to draw up a plan... I was given very little time, roughly about a month . The date of the launch of this garden was scheduled on 5 Nov 06 so as to coincide with the Clean and Green week.
Let's go for a chronological journey of how this community garden at Serangoon North appeared from ground zero...
This was how the original site looks - a field of green grass located just behind the spectators' gallery of a basketball court.
Construction commenced. The first thing that was done was to mark out the boundary of the garden.
Skipping the intermediate steps... The drain on the right had a dual purpose - it acted as both a retaining wall to prevent erosion as well as a means to channel heavy run-off away from the growing beds during a rain storm. Note that the terrian is inclined at an angle.
The front part of the garden designated for the growing of herbs and spices - the brick borders for the raised beds have been painstakingly built by the workers. Great work. The central circular patch is designated to be the spot where the Guest of Honour will be planting a small ornamental tree, Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans).
The rectangular raised beds located just behind the herb and spice garden meant for the growing of vegetables and herbs.
Soil was added into the raised beds and black compost was added as a soil conditioner (courtesy NParks). This was the final stage of construction. The hedge consisting of Eugenia oleana was also ready. This stage was roughly one week before the launch.
The medicinal herb garden was planted just two days before the launch. A million thanks to Margaret and William who have taken their precious time off to come to the garden to help with the planting. Without their effort, the garden won't be possible!
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