Bia Linn

 
The idea of a community garden was raised a number of years ago within the FADA group. We are now delighted (May 2009) to have an opportunity to develop such a garden and shall continue to work on the development of the project.
 
The community garden is designed to be a space in which the local people can learn about food production from the basics of seed planting to food preservation. The area shall be constructed of different types of planters, growing environments and demonstration areas.
 
The idea is to encourage people to grow their own food. The use of recycled materials for the planters has a number of benefits:

• Plants can grow is almost any type of container, once they have day light, soil and excess water can drain away.
• Recycling of material in this way highlights the fact that when something has completed its original use an other use can be found

Therefore

• Cost should not be a factor used to discourage people from growing there own vegetable in what ever space they have.

 
The overall effect of the garden will be measurable in the reduction of carbon food miles, the recycling of carbon intensive produced material and the increase in biodiversity. As the area is hard landscaped with no planting, the biodiversity will automatic increase as soon as we start planting. The non measurable effect of the garden will be the increase in community spirit, the integration of different groups with the town and the visual improvement of the area.
 
The physical construction and planting of the garden has already had the effect of bring different groups of people together. There has been an increased interest in this area of the town and its surround environment. Interested parties include the town council, county council, environmental groups, refugee groups, children and local business people.
 
The garden itself shall require a number of items including:

• Topsoil – a number of sources are been contacted
• Container and raised beds – again a number of avenues are been followed
• A demonstration table
• Hand tools for working in beds
• Plants – it is late stage in the year (end of May) for planting seeds. Members of FADA have generously agreed to supply the garden with  some seedlings
• Signage and advisement – again a work in progress
• And most importantly the time and experience of volunteers 

 
The community garden project is a sub committee of FADA. FADA consists of a network of volunteers in County Kildare, attempting to prepare local villages for peak oil, climate chaos and economic difficulties by restoring our traditional, self-reliant economy and sense of community. We are continuously looking of new members with drive, ideas and ambition. We would like to hear from people interested in helping us to reach our goals. You may become a general member of FADA or become a member of the community garden sub committee. There are also other sub committee you may wish to join.
 
To become involved in the committee garden groups please send an email to fada@kildare.ie for the attention of Ciara or Ellen.