Support needed to seed garden

Good Neighbour Trust manager Cam Hill and community garden coordinator Andrea Green need help to open a Welcome Bay community garden. Photo / Brooke Bath

Welcome Bay residents could soon be growing their own produce in a local community garden with 30 plots.

But a little bit more financial support is needed to make the green-thumb dream a reality.

About 20 of the plots are still up for grabs for residents, businesses or families who are keen to sponsor a garden plot and get the Welcome Bay community garden up and running.

Sponsored plots are going for $500, which will then be available to rent by anyone for $12.50 a month.

Plots will be 2.5m by 4.5m and the garden site will also run free workshops to educate keen growers on how to care for their garden.

Garden co-ordinator Andrea Green said this was an opportunity for anyone to grow their own vegetables and access healthy food resources.

"This is going to be exciting for the Welcome Bay community," Mrs Green said. The garden, brought to life by local organisation Good Neighbour Trust, is under construction. Local businesses and schools have already snatched up some plots, she said.

Good Neighbour Trust manager Cam Hill said sponsors would have their names on the community garden board and receive information about the progress of their garden.

"This isn't just about sponsoring a plot, this is about having something that everyone can use," Mr Hill said.

The Welcome Bay project will mark the third community garden established by the Good Neighbour Trust.

Other community gardens are in Otumoetai and Bethlehem.

Mr Hill said the plan was to build others throughout Tauranga.

"Community gardens enable families to get cheaper, healthier and fresher food and to grow friendships and thereby cultivate vibrant communities while tending to their produce."

The site, behind Lighthouse Church in Welcome Bay, will be ready to grow by November 14. Visit www.facebook.com/GoodNeighbour.co.nz