Our vision is to create a garden of our local community, where children have a special place. The garden is on South London, on a privately owned strip of land in Lower Road that was neglected for about 30 years, since the adjacent development was built. We set up a non-for profit association of local residents just to develop and manage the garden, and got permission from the owners in November 2020. We aim to be ready to open in early summer 2021, and there is lots to do. We've started with a neighbour consultation to develop a common vision, and to clear 30 years of brambles and fly-tipping. Next will be ready the soil, replace the fence, plant trees, raised beds, a pond, shed... We are committed to transform this hazardous space into an asset for the local community, it is a big task and need all the help we can get.

What we'll deliver:

• Buy garden tools to clear the brambles
• Build 5 raised beds for a community farm
• Plant a perimeter of citrus plants, herbs and medicinal plants
• Build a shed
• Wildlife pond to increase biodiversity
• Kiosk to sit
• Fence
• Plant 5 fruit trees

Why it's a great idea:

Now more than ever we all need a the mental health benefits of a safe outdoor space to connect with nature, meet our local community, and source healthy food. The Garden SE8 is that space, turning the current hazardous eye-sore into a real asset for the local community. Our vision for the garden is an inclusive space, where the youngest and eldest of our community come together, creating stronger intergenerational links among local residents.

Steps to get it done:

• Clear the bramble
• Prepare the soil
• Rebuild the fence
• Buy essential equipment to clear the bramble
• Preparing raised beds
• Planting raised beds
• Rebuilding the fence
• Get trees
• Plant trees
• Open the garden
• Build a shed
• Create a pond

You can see latest updates on our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gardense8/ and Google Doc https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gq9XSjmbYR_3CaA7U5u-C9ty028nIHfn7QwHns6clMQ/edit#