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 Our Urban Edible Planters

 Vegetables and Herbs for Papakura 

Twenty-four Planters throughout the Town Centre provide an opportunity for residents to forage for a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs. The arrival of the planters caused huge excitement and interest. People stop to talk to each other in the street about the planters, some have become involved in both informal and formal care of the plants, while others have become motivated to grow their own veggies at home . Ultimately, we hope to see a public food forest established in Papakura. 

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“You have given our town a togetherness of community we have had missing. Keep it up”

Project Information

Objectives

This project was established to demonstrate how food can be grown in urban settings, to enhance the ecosystem, and  to generate a sense of community in the Town Centre. 

Help Yourself!
Do a Little Foraging

People are invited to pick a few vegetables as they pass. Workshops are held to teach when and how to cultivate, harvest, cook,  preserve produce and save seed. 

Sustainability

To enhance sustainability we operate a worm farm to process garden debris, food scraps and cardboard, creating fertilizer for the planters. Some plants are allowed to go to seed so that seeds can be saved for planting.

A Collaborative Community Effort!

Urban Edibles is a Direct Result of Fabulous Community Collaboration  

This was an ambitious project. It was an exciting experience to get enthusiastic support from everyone we approached. At times we all wondered whether we would succeed and it is now a matter of pride to the whole community that there has been virtually no vandalism.

Wonderful Volunteers

Volunteers assembled the planters, then installed them and shoveled in mountains of soil, then helped to plant around 300 seedlings:  a mammoth effort.  Businesses agreed to host and water the planters; more volunteers continue with seedling care, transplanting and maintenance, and top up watering.  Behind many 'official' volunteers have been family and community residents who have regularly helped out and supported in numerous ways. We salute you. You too can Volunteer to help with growing plants and their ongoing care. Donations of seeds, plants and soil mix are welcomed.

Wonderful Volunteers

Volunteers assembled the planters, then installed them and shoveled in mountains of soil, then helped to plant around 300 seedlings:  a mammoth effort.  Businesses agreed to host and water the planters; more volunteers continue with seedling care, transplanting and maintenance, and top up watering.  Behind many 'official' volunteers have been family and community residents who have regularly helped out and supported in numerous ways. We salute you. You too can Volunteer to help with the ongoing care of the planters.

Something to be proud of!

There is a sense of public ownership, guardianship and a great sense of pride in this initiative. As people pass in the street they stop to touch and inspect the plants and connect with others; children hunt for specific produce, chatting to and questioning their parents; others note plants' progress and may contact Sustainable Papakura with  updates. Monitoring the plants adds purpose to a walk through the Town Centre. Retailers coming out of their shops to water their plants  engage with the outside world as they do so, some putting out water for birds.

Project Sponsors and Supporters

How You Can Get Involved

Registered volunteers can help maintain the planters during our weekly working bee or in your own time by arrangement. Everyone can help by harvesting responsibly and spreading awareness of the importance of these gardens to our community. 

If you think you would like to become a registered Volunteer check out or volunteers page and submit an enquiry form.

Volunteers Page