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24<br />
From left: Tariq, Billy, Dawn, Jean, Rosie and Norman<br />
As the fi rst blooms of spring make an early appearance, it’s time to polish<br />
your green fi ngers and get sowing in time for this year’s Best in Show,<br />
the annual growing competition at the Mayor’s <strong>Newham</strong> Show. And if<br />
you’re looking for some inspiration take a leaf out of GreEn16’s garden.<br />
The community growing project<br />
in Custom House has turned a<br />
disused space into a luscious<br />
vegetable paradise for residents<br />
and local businesses. In 2009,<br />
with nothing but builders’ bags as<br />
plots, the group began planting.<br />
Some joined out of curiosity and<br />
others for friendship but the one<br />
thing everyone had in common<br />
was a passion to see tiny seeds<br />
develop into strong plants. From<br />
using empty mayonnaise tubs from<br />
the local takeaway as plant pots<br />
to making mini greenhouses from<br />
old water bottles, this resourceful<br />
group is growing from strength to<br />
strength.<br />
Dawn Lang was persuaded to<br />
start growing after her neighbour<br />
asked her to join her at GreEn16.<br />
She said: “I started off with three<br />
bags and now I have seven. Initially<br />
I came to keep my neighbour<br />
company but now I spend more<br />
time down here than she does!<br />
“A lot of what we plant starts on<br />
our window ledges. At the moment<br />
I’ve got cress and mustard and<br />
I’ll be starting off my carrots. I’ve<br />
even potted up a Christmas tree on<br />
my windowsill! I’ve grown cherry<br />
tomatoes in hanging baskets<br />
before because they trail. Other<br />
people have begun growing peas,<br />
celery and runner beans on their<br />
windowsills.<br />
“We all share plants and grow<br />
different produce. I’ve grown a<br />
pear tree and I would never have<br />
thought you could grow something<br />
like that in a bag. Last year I got 13<br />
pears.<br />
“My favourite thing that has<br />
grown out of this garden is the<br />
community spirit. We now all talk to<br />
each other. I’ve known people for<br />
years but never had a conversation<br />
with them. This garden has<br />
changed all that.”<br />
Get growing<br />
The growing competition at<br />
the Mayor’s <strong>Newham</strong> Show,<br />
21 and 22 July, will include:<br />
> the longest carrot<br />
> the biggest courgette<br />
> the juiciest strawberry<br />
> the reddest radish<br />
> the leafi est lettuce<br />
> the oddest looking<br />
vegetable or fruit.<br />
To take part, get growing!<br />
Find out more by<br />
visiting www.newham.<br />
com/summer or email<br />
competitions@newham.<br />
gov.uk<br />
Find us on Facebook<br />
www.facebook.com/<br />
newhamevents
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