Celebrating Community - Waimate Community Garden - Growing Something Good in Waimate

Back in 2010, Kylie Douglas was in her first year studying community and social services when she had an idea - create a space where people could grow food together, learn from each other, and support those who needed it. Today, it’s grown into a well-loved part of the Waimate community.

With backing from the Waimate District Resource Trust (now Community Link), a public meeting was held, a steering group formed, and by 2012 the Waimate Community Garden was established as an incorporated society.

The purpose was, and still is, to strengthen local food resilience and share practical skills.

Run by a small group of volunteers, the garden has grown well beyond its original footprint. Over the years, it has expanded to include a community orchard, a “take it or leave it” produce stand, and outreach programmes that helped locals build raised garden beds at home.

There was also a community harvest group, collecting fruit from backyard trees that might otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to others.

Today, the garden continues to evolve with the seasons. Summer crops are wrapping up, and attention is turning to winter planting, with brassicas, leafy greens, broad beans, onions and root vegetables going into the ground.

Working bees are held on Sundays at 1pm at the William Street site. People come when they can, help out with weeding, planting, pruning or harvesting, and take fresh produce home in return.

Any extra is shared more widely, with donations to Community Link’s foodbank and at the orchard’s “take it or leave it” stand on Victoria Terrace.

The garden has become a place where people can learn new skills, share knowledge, and spend time alongside others. For some, it’s also a way to build confidence and independence around growing their own food.

Like many volunteer-led projects, it hasn’t always been easy. Keeping numbers up can be a challenge, and organisers say they’d love to see more people making the most of what’s on offer.

The team are keen to grow the volunteer base so they can increase production and expand their workshop programme. Membership is $5 per year for an individual or $10 for a family, with forms available onsite during Sunday working bees.

Over the warmer months, they hope to maintain a regular ‘crop swap’ table, with koha options for those without produce to trade. There are plans to continue winter pruning and spring seed-sowing workshops, and they are exploring the idea of a kids’ club for the school holidays.

For now, the gate is open, the garden is growing, and there’s always room for a few more hands.

Learn more at the Waimate Community Info website: waimatecommunityinfo.org/waimate-community-garden

Story by districtlife.co.nz