Hamilton Gardens – January 6, 2011

The MGT visited Hamilton Garden, a public park owned by the people of Hamilton and managed by the Hamilton City Council.  The Garden contain five garden collections, one of which is the Productive Garden Collection.  This collection represent forms of productive plants which provides food, raw materials for clothing, shelter, and medicine.  The garden includes:

a.       Te Parapara, a garden demonstrating traditional Maori horticulture;

b.      Kitchen Garden, containing a range of vegetables and small fruits;

c.       Herb Garden, containing plants for culinary, cosmetic, perfume and medicinal purposes; and

d.      Sustainable Backyard, demonstrating principles of sustainable food production on a backyard scale.

The gardens are maintained by specific organizations, i.e. charitable organizations, schools, churches.  These organizations maintain the gardens, as well as reap the harvest to distribute the food to families in need or food banks.  The sustainable backyard section maintains a worm farm as well as compost for use in the gardens.  Some of the vegetable being grown are peas, tomatoes, greens, melons, squash, and others. 

Lessons Learned:

·         Community gardens would be an excellent source of affordable fresh fruit and vegetables for families.

·         Sustainable gardens can be utilized to reduce food cost as well as food transportation cost.

Source:  Hamilton Gardens Site Guide; www.hamiltongardens.co.nz