What should participants expect?
A community garden providing all residents & people of all ages & abilities of New Milton, Barton, Ashley and beyond with a green space to benefit from being in nature, learning about wildlife, growing food and flowers, alleviating loneliness and isolation, making friends, social inter-generational engagement, showing children where their food comes from, encouraging young people to consider a career in horticulture/agriculture.
An opportunity to benefit from spending time in a community green space to grow food and flowers, meet a wide range of people and learn about the importance of our wildlife. In these challenging days, the New Milton Community Garden will give people, particularly those with limited outside space or access to a garden, the chance to grow food and connect with our wider community.
It is now well known, and proven, that spending time in a green space, is so beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing. We can provide people with the opportunity to nurture their plants, watch them grow, harvest them and cook them, and benefit from the community spirit of working together. Even those who are less able can just spend time and share their stories, or sit quietly to enjoy some peace and reflection.
Where does the activity take place?
The New Milton Community Garden is at Fawcetts Field, next to the Moore Close development.
The New Milton Community Garden will be accessible to all users, with good parking at Fawcetts Field. A new, level pathway is due to be constructed across the Moore Close field in the very near future, providing good and safe access to the garden.
When does it take place?
The garden had its official opening day by Mayor Alvin Reid on Sunday 8 June at 3pm. After this, we hope to open morning or afternoon for two hours on two days in the Spring, Summer and early Autumn, and some occasional weekends too for people who work. We welcome groups, individuals and volunteers to use the garden on those days and we will be posting each week’s days and times on our Facebook page: @newmiltongarden and via our email address. We also welcome volunteers who would like to help supervise others from time to time with seed sowing, planting, and harvesting.
Who can participate?
We welcome everyone and anyone, from ages 0-100, irrespective of ability or disability. Just come along and enjoy being part of a great community project.
Cost:
There is no cost to anyone who wants to get involved and be part of this important project. All we ask is that if you want to get involved in growing your own food (veg/fruit/salad/herbs etc) then you bring your own trowel/spade/garden gloves. We will provide everything else.
