The Canterbury Community Gardens’ Association (CCGA) is bringing together all of the region’s 32 community gardens to create an interactive exhibition at the inaugural Grow Ō Tautahi Chrischurch Garden Festival, which is being presented by Lincoln University.
There will be living furniture, a peaceful lush garden space, living sculptures and people will be able to post photos of their adventures.
Grow Ō Tautahi runs from 20-22 March in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, and is a creative and environmentally aware event that draws on ideas from across the community.
Festival Director Sandi MacRae says the community garden will be a real highlight.
“Grow Ō Tautahi is a homegrown festival that draws on our region’s love of gardens, creativity, innovation and design. We are absolutely focused on our local community so it’s really exciting to have all the region’s community gardens represented in one very special exhibition.
“When I first heard of the combined community garden concept, I knew people would fall in love with the idea. You’ll be able to come along, take photos of yourself on the living furniture and experience a piece of each of the individual community gardens dotted around the region.
"What better way to celebrate the concept of the community coming together to work in a garden and create a special place that everyone can enjoy,” Sandi says.
CCGA Chair Catherine O’Neill says community gardening is all about inclusiveness. “Whether you’re eight or 80, a community garden is a place you can wander into and find a place to that makes you feel at home. You might want to pick up a spade and get digging, or perhaps you’d rather just sit and enjoy the surroundings, whatever your pleasure, community gardens are there for everyone.
“The CCGA is so excited to be able to bring all of Canterbury’s 32 community gardens together to create a special garden that the people of Christchurch can take delight in at Grow Ō Tautahi. We’re working hard right now to grow the plants and develop a design that will be sustainable, inclusive, collaborative and fun – all the things community gardens represent,” she says.
Grow Ō Tautahi is free for the public to attend and will include exhibition gardens, plants, floral displays, the community garden, schools’ gardens, workshops and panel discussions on key environmental issues, celebrity chef garden kitchen demonstrations, entertainment, food and plenty of fun for everyone.
For more information go to www.growotautahi.org.nz/