The Golden Girls of Gardening; how community gardens lift the spirits

I must admit I was intrigued when I got an email out of the blue asking to come to see some community gardens up in Bury. It wasn't just the offer of tea, slices of cake and seeing some beautiful borders; it was the fact that these gardens had been created from scratch only a few years ago by a group of women and men in their late 80's! Usually, people are paving over gardens whereas this senior community is on a mission to actively green up some otherwise grey space. So I grabbed my notebook, got in my van and off I went.

• What are community gardens?
• Community Gardens; The 29'ers explained
• Bringing people together through gardening
• What can we learn from community gardens?

What are community gardens?

Community gardening has seen a surge in publicity recently with coverage on Gardeners world, the RHS and other garden media. With the allotment and grow your own movement seeing a rise in shared community spaced. You only have to open up a gardening magazine to see groups growing their own flowers, fruit and vegetables all over the country. Then there's Britain in Bloom which since 1967 has helped shape community gardens with its award and assessment scheme. Community gardening is a huge movement, it's now the largest horticultural campaign in the UK.

Community gardens often spring up as a collective where shared resources and enthusiasm brings a larger collective result. It means no matter how restricted your space or skills are community gardening offers everyone the chance to bloom! The ladies and gentlemen at Fusilier's court demonstrate this perfectly. What's magnificent is with the support of Muir, their sheltered accommodation provider, they have created something beautiful. But I'm getting ahead of myself as per usual. Let's start off with the 29'ers.

Community Gardens; The 29'ers

Gardening has no age limit and this sentiment is no clearer with the residents at Fuselier's court in Bury. The 29'ers ars they like to be known, given they were born in or around 1929, are showing that gardening really is an ageless hobby. This collective group show no signs of slowing down and you really wouldn't believe the verve and energy they displayed during my visit. It's easy to focus on getting 'younger' people to garden but it's equally important to encourage all age ranges to garden.

It was clear when speaking individually to the 29'ers that there was one thing that had attracted them to Fusilier court and that was the gardens.  That every residency has access out onto the communal areas and each window has a view of one of the many gardens beds. Gardening is more than a hobby for the 29'ers, it's a social activity, a buzz that unites the group. There's a sense of pride and excitement when I spoke to them about their ideas, planting choices and past schemes.

With some lottery funding 9 or so years ago they started on their mission to green up the communal areas. In collaboration with Muir they developed the area, overcoming planning hurdles, form filling and discussions about the best use of the spaces. They started a community and divided up the necessary roles. Where others maybe have thrown the towel in at the thought of all the necessary organisation and effort required, they forged onwards in their mission to create a garden space fit for all the residents.

After years of form filling, meetings and plenty of grit they started work on their gardens. By establishing their skills and capabilities the 29'ers set about converting their grey space into one of green bounty. By lifting tarmac, removing paving slabs they have been able to create beautifully mixed borders of herbaceous perennials and cheery annual flowers in their place.

"Not watching flowers growing on wallpaper"

During my visit, I asked the gardeners why it was so important for them to have green space. One quote really stuck with me from Sylvia sums up perfectly the power of gardening in later years.

"I don't just want to watch flowers growing just on wallpaper" she proclaimed.

Sylvia explained that getting out from their residencies and lounges into the outside was of huge importance for them. That being outdoors gardening, growing and enjoying their spaces brought them great well being and happiness. It's already been shown that gardening is great for positive mental health, that it reduces stress and anxiety. Based on the 29'ers discussions it also brings structure and community, with a couple of residents sharing that they didn't have a family nearby so the gardens brought them together.

One gardener Pauline smiled and said "it's a pleasure to offer to garden for those who no longer can". Showing the power of gardening as a collective benefit.

Each area has its own 'creator' who maintains that particular scheme, each sensitively complimenting the next scheme along. Whether it be a shady blush Rhododendron bed leading into a herbaceous border of blues or purples. Each bed is unique but blends really well with the next. I witnessed some of the ladies discussing swapping cuttings and each suggesting ideas on what to plant next. Garden Cooperation at its finest! I caught Betty and Jean discussing some cuttings and plant addition suggestions. This group live and breath the gardens.

What we can learn from community gardens?

Sometimes with community gardens its easy to just think of allotments with groups growing produce or groups being taught horticulture skills. Both of which are worthwhile. However, the 29'ers have helped to highlight the other side of community gardening, which is sometimes overlooked. The side that shows that community gardens can also be used simply to bring people together; to socialise. The Golden girls have thoughtfully brought together the residents, divided their skills, capabilities and styles creating some wonderful eclectic borders. There's no grand prize, largest pumpkin competition or judging criteria just the harmonious act of gardening. Just look below at what they have achieved over the years.

You can be in no doubt once you've seen the 29'ers that gardening is keeping them both fit but also young at heart. Laughing in the face of agism these good time gardeners are rejecting convention and reaping the benefits. Not content with taking it easy this cheery troop are waving the flag for mind over matter. Everyone could learn a lesson from this group that if you want to make something happen, all you need is some determination, tea and cake!

I really can't wait to see what's next for this good time bunch of gardeners. Have you been involved in a community garden? Have you seen the benefits that gardening can bring? Why not get in touch on Social Media Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me! I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Gardening!

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