Exeter Community Garden
4
The Pitch
Problem statement
The Community Garden has been operating since 2011. Most of the structures on site have been in place since then and are showing signs of wear, especially the 9 main raised beds which are now in urgent need of complete replacement. From the outside they look sound but they are rotting away from the inside where the damp soil has rotted the corner posts and main planks. The beds have been mended many times using recycled wood and metal straps but they can no longer be repaired. They now need to be replaced with new materials to make sure they are fit for purpose for the next 10 years. We also need to upgrade our tools to carry out the work in stead of relying on members to bring their own.
Solution
To undertake a programme of replacing all 9 raised beds (measuring 5m x 1.5m) at a cost of between £250 to £350 per bed. This would include the purchase of new agricultural grade treated planks, corner posts, fixings, metal corner braces and strengthening posts. We will also need to upgrade some tools, such as saws, hammers and spirit levels to carry out the work. Our team of volunteer gardeners includes some skilled wood workers so the work would be carried out by our members under their guidance at no extra cost. We aim to replace at least 3 beds per year for the next 2 or 3 years to ensure that our Community Garden is safe and usable for many years to come.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Our skilled woodworkers are competent, not only to carry out the work involved but also to supervise others so there would be no extra costs apart from the cost of materials and tools. We have carried out a trial run of replacing one bed and have a greater understanding of the work involved, the method of replacement and the costs of materials. We can then carry on with our main purpose of growing healthy fruit and vegetables organically and sustainably, sharing our harvests with members and others, sharing our knowledge and skills and increasing our community of gardeners as well as our community of plants, animals and wildlife.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| 10 x 5m 'dungboards' @ £50 per board | £500 |
| 12 corner posts @ £11 per post | £132 |
| 6 metal spikes @ £15.50 each | £93 |
| screws, fixings, metal cornersetc | £75 |
| Tools: saws, hammers, pincers, spirit levels, etc | £200 |
Beneficiaries
50 people
Expected impact
Our Garden is an open site where all are welcome. We have a fluctuating membership of about 50 active gardeners, groups of students who undertake practical aspects of their course in the Garden, an on-line site where former active members can stay in touch, as well as an unknown number of walkers, visitors and people who come to just sit for a while. During Lockdown many people have told us that our Garden became a place of calm and solace in difficult times, a peaceful green space to come to. Our regular gardeners tell us that as well as learning new skills in growing and gardening, they have found the group to be good fun, sharing an interest in sustainability in the open air, gardening with nature as well as producing food to share. Many students have told us that working in the Community Garden has given them a sense of belonging and a way to make friends. Rebuilding our raised beds will enable us to maintain and develop all these positive links for our wider community.