Bee-friendly garden shows children how to grow crops
RESIDENTS responded to a tree-trimming disaster in their community garden, by working with their housing body to rectify the problem and installing a vegetable and herbs plot.
The Kilcronan community garden in Clondalkin – officially opened this week by South Dublin County Mayor Mark Ward – now has the capability to teach children how to grow crops, and is also bee-friendly.
Lisa and Marianne from the local residents' association with Mayor Mark Ward
Over 70 homes in Kilcronan Court/Place are now under the management of Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI).
Lisa Kinsella-Colman, Secretary of the residents’ group said they requested the trees be trimmed last year, to stop any damage to a neighbouring house.
“This contractor made a mess of our trees and neither us as a committee nor CHI were happy with the work,” said Lisa.
“We worked with our housing body to come to some sort of an agreement. One of the trees had to be removed completely and the remaining two have been made safe and will hopefully continue to grow back to their natural glory.
“I asked could we make a vegetable garden in place of the tree that was removed to show children how to grow their own vegetables and herbs. We will also be showing the children from our area how to make soup once the crops are ready. CHI agreed.
“We recently received washing machines from Recycle IT Clondalkin and spruced them up. Our lovely Ros who works in B&Q, helped us planting the containers.”
Residents planted bee-friendly plants to help the eco-system, with bees vitally important to society.
Lisa continued: “We’ve used plants like lavender and flowering plants that are high in pollen and nectar. Bees can travel up to six miles from their hives for lavender. No insecticides or chemicals –a huge problem for bees – have been used on our plants.”
Lisa said the group wish to help residents from neighbouring communities get similar planting projects started.
TAGS Clondalkin
