Members of the Benhill Residents’ Association have launched a project for families on the estate to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Led by Benhill resident Melanie Chiwera, the project is utilising an area of green space on the estate where two raised beds have been built to help get the project started.
The raised beds will be officially opened on Saturday 30 April at 3pm with the Beanstalk Project holding a hands-on planting session. Manor Park Children’s Centre will also be joining in with residents on the 30th April to plant up potatoes, carrots and onions.Residents will then be responsible for turning the beds into thriving vegetable patches in time for the Benhill Big Lunch on Saturday 5th June.
All local children taking part in the project will receive a hanging basket with either tomatoes or strawberries to grow on their balconies.
Project leader and resident Melanie Chiwera said “Just because we live in flats it doesn’t mean that we can’t grow our own fruit and vegetables, I believe that children will really enjoy growing their own food and it is also healthy exercise as well as being educational and positive for the environment.”
The project has been supported by Sutton Housing Partnership who helped lay the raised beds and B & Q who have provided materials for the planting project.
Posted on Wednesday 27th April 2011