A Once-Forgotten Plumstead Road Transformed into a Vibrant Food Garden

Through the work of the Gabriel Road Area Project Association, a once-overlooked plot on the corner of Gabriel Road in Plumstead has been turned into a thriving vegetable garden.

A committed team of volunteers came together every Saturday to tend to the area, which now has seven recently added flower beds and 60 different types of vegetables.

The garden, which began as a neighbourhood project to recover underutilised land that had been used as a landfill, has grown to become a focal point of the neighbourhood.

The impact of the garden was discussed by Elaine Rousseau, a driving force behind the project: “This space used to have a lot of negative energy, but now it’s full of life.” People now congregate there, work with the land, and take delight in the things we’ve created.

The garden has expanded quickly with ten volunteers, offering the locals fresh, organic vegetables at what Rousseau refers to as “community prices.” In order to guarantee that everyone has access to wholesome, locally grown veggies, its produce is offered at reasonable prices.

“We think everyone should have access to fresh food,” Rousseau continued.

“Taking care of our planet and one another is more important than merely growing vegetables.”

In addition to selling organic produce from the garden, the community frequently organises an end-of-month market with vendors.

Rousseau also invites residents to participate by making a donation or helping out in the garden. “Everyone is welcome and this is a group endeavour. As more individuals contribute, our community and garden will become stronger.

In addition to bringing local, fresh vegetables to Plumstead, the project has established itself as a symbol of cooperation and change, highlighting the ability of group efforts to transform underutilised areas into places of nutrition and community.

Source: https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/peoples-post/a-neglected-corner-in-plumstead-is-now-a-flourishing-vegetable-garden-thanks-to-volunteers-20240917

Editor’s note: The vegetable garden project has established itself as a symbol of cooperation and change, highlighting the ability of group efforts to transform underutilised areas into places of nutrition and community.

Description: A committed team of volunteers came together every Saturday to tend to the area, which now has seven recently added flower beds and 60 different types of vegetables.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA