Trowbridge, 11-09-24 – Thanks to a generous grant from Selwood Housing, Trowbridge Users Group is delighted to announce the successful launch and first harvest of our community garden. This green initiative, designed to beautify our space and provide fresh produce for both our members and the wider community, marks a significant step forward in fostering sustainability and collaboration.
The garden, which began as a small project earlier this year, was created with the goal of producing fresh food for our members and donating any excess to local community fridges operated by Trowbridge Futures. We are thrilled to report that our first crops, including lettuce, potatoes, and tomatoes, have been successfully harvested.
Despite some challenges posed by unusually wet weather, which resulted in a loss of some potatoes due to slug damage, the garden has proven to be a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. “This year has taught us important lessons,” said a representative from Trowbridge Users Group. “We now know that slug control—using eco-friendly methods—will be a top priority in the future to protect our crops and ensure a more bountiful harvest.”
Our lettuce has already been distributed to Trowbridge Futures to help stock their community fridges, and our members have enjoyed the fresh potatoes. As we look to the future, we are excited for our next crops to ripen, including corn, which promises to be a highlight of our garden’s journey this year.
With autumn approaching, we’re already thinking ahead to next year. Plans are in place to plant bulbs in preparation for a vibrant spring, and we hope to source a live Christmas tree in time for the holidays. The idea is to plant and decorate this tree each year, adding a touch of festivity to the garden while also promoting sustainability.
The knowledge we’ve gained from this year’s harvest will help us refine our gardening techniques going forward. We aim to improve next year by utilizing seeds collected from this season’s plants, taking cuttings, and propagating new crops. Our vision is to make the garden even better and brighter in the years to come, benefitting both our members and the wider community.
Trowbridge Users Group would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Selwood Housing for their support and to everyone who contributed to making this initiative a success. We are proud to be playing a role in promoting sustainable food practices and strengthening our community ties.
To learn more about our garden and other projects, visit us at Trowbridge Users Group Website.