Food security is underway for the community this summer, thanks to the Alexandra Community Gardens annual planting day last weekend.

Organised by the Alexandra Salvation Army, the event at Eden Gardens attracted more than 40 volunteers ranging from babies to grandparents on Saturday (October 11).

Alexandra Salvation Army captain Jonny Whybrow said the day started with a karakia and a mihi to welcome guests to gardens where they worked on 'Lloyds Patch' - named after the late Lloyd Miln, a previous volunteer.

Jonny said the group planted a variety of crops in the glasshouse as well as six very large vegetable plots, and ended the day with a sausage sizzle and tidy up.

“We returned the next day for church at the gardens, in collaboration with St Enoch's church. We have both been exploring the theme of 'peace with creation' recently, and took the opportunity to meet together at the gardens for worship.”

The joint gathering concluded with the planting of an almond tree, which was gifted to the gardens from St Enoch's. 

Last spring the Alexandra Community Garden had a new orchard planted with cherries, nectarines and greengages, but a big snowfall on Friday September 13 wiped most of it out.

Community gardens manager Brian Seymour said surprisingly they still had some fruit left for their first season, but he expects a better crop this summer.

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