Plants, seeds and gardening tools – and a really nice cup of coffee also!
By Maurice Garvey
AFTER a complete re-stock and the appointment of a new manager, Walk’s Green Garden Centre re-opened its doors for business last month in Walkinstown.
The centre is part of the social enterprise organisation Walk, and won a Dublin City Neighbourhood Business award in 2015.
Horticulturalist Brian Berry is passionate about plants and looks forward to welcoming customers to the new-look garden centre where he’ll be
offering advice and free fortnightly workshops for gardeners of all levels.
He has completely restocked the shop with a wide range of shrubs, bedding plants, and a new range of seeds, plant food, compost, bark, weed-killers, and small gardening tools.
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There’s a great selection of pots of all sizes too – plus bird tables, nesting boxes and wooden planters made by the Dublin 12 Men’s Shed, also on the premises.
Brian said: “I love gardening and really admire the work that Walk does for the community. As a social enterprise, all profits from the garden centre, gardening services and café are re-invested in the project and used to develop new programmes.
“I hope people in the area and beyond will come and shop here, not just because it’s a good cause, but because the service and plants are great. And you can get a nice cup of coffee too.”
The Green Garden Centre is part of a complex of formerly derelict buildings which local charity Walk, supported by Dublin City Council, gutted and renovated in 2013/14.
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The building now houses a number of social enterprises, including The Green Kitchen Café, the Green Garden Centre, and a multi-purpose training room which plays host to a wide range of community activities including yoga and pilates classes, mother and baby groups, art/sewing classes and training events.
The building is also home to the Dublin 12 Men’s Shed, and Charity Radio, an online radio station which supports local and national charities.
The Green Garden Centre, in partnership with Dublin City Council and Age Action, also offers a low-cost garden maintenance service to residents, businesses and organisations in the local community.
Walk was established in 1967 to provide a range of services for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Garden Centre and Green Kitchen Café, also provide work experience for people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Green Garden and Green Kitchen are open seven days a week – Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
To book the training room, reserve a place on a free gardening workshop, or avail of garden maintenance services, call Mary or Margaret on 9013274.
