Why Every Block Needs a Community Garden

Living in a shared block has its perks, but how do you truly connect with people and place. That’s where a community garden comes in. It’s more than just a patch of greenery; it’s a way to grow connections, improve wellbeing, and make your block a better place to live.

The shared garden space growing at Wao Hotel and Residences features flowers, grasses and vegetables.

Bringing People Together

A community garden is more than an excuse to connect with the people around you. It’s a space to get involved. So dig in, break down barriers and let a conversation blossum. Over time, these small connections build into a real sense of community, where people look out for each other and take pride in their shared space.

Okra produces a lot of fruit quickly. Excess leaves are pruned to promote more growth.

Improving Mental and Physical Wellbeing

Spending time outdoors, tending to plants, and getting your hands on fresh produce is a proven way to reduce stress and boost your mood. Gardening gets you moving, bending, digging, and watering - gentle exercise with purpose achievement.

For kids, a community garden can be especially meaningful. It’s a hands-on way to teach them about where food comes from, while also helping them develop responsibility and patience. Imagine the joy of seeing them pull their first fruit from a tree the planted and helped grow. It’s wholesome, rewarding, and just plain fun.

Using all the available spaces means blending of functionality and greenery.

Fresh Food, Right at Your Doorstep

One of the best things about a community garden is the fresh produce it can provide. Herbs, veggies, and fruit – all grown right where you live. Save yourself a trip to the shops, eat healthily and cut down on plastic packaging. Plus, food you’ve grown yourself just tastes better – maybe it’s the effort, maybe it’s the pride, or maybe it’s both.

Lemongrass grows quickly creating lush greenery, beauitfull scents and is used in the kitchen or grown for mulch

Share A Compost

Food scraps, leaf clippings, that usually fill your bin or landfill can instead be turned into rich, nutritious soil for the garden. Not only does this reduce the amount of waste your block sends to landfill, but it also provides the perfect fertilizer for growing strong, healthy plants. Everyone can get involved easily. Drop off your scraps will transform waste into treasure.

This new bed contains quick growing basil and kale/spinach, while a banana shoot gets established

More Than Just a Garden

At the end of the day, a garden is about so much more than plants. It’s about building connections, improving your mental and physical health, and creating a space where people – kids and adults alike – can thrive.

How much joy, pride, and fresh produce a little patch of greenery can bring is completely up to us. So give it a go and get involved.