Wellington's First 'Pop-up' Garden in Kilbirnie

This Saturday morning, 12 November, Kilbirnie residents are invited to 82 Yule Street for a planting party at Wellington's first pop-up community garden.

The pop-up garden temporarily converts unused space into community gardens. The aim is to test design strategies for urban agriculture and to get more residents growing their own vegetables. The Kilbirnie pop-up garden will be located in a council drainage 'easement' between Ross Street and Yule Street.

Project leader Amanda Yates says the garden will remain there for three months.

"All of the plants we're planting are organic and heritage plants, including tomatoes, cucumber, peas, chard and lettuce. At the end of the three month project the planter boxes and plants will go to other community gardens in Kilbirnie and Lyall Bay."

The project is collaboration between Massey University and Wellington City Council, with help from local gardeners and Lyall Bay School. The pop-up garden concept is a response to the recently agreed 'Towards 2040: Smart Capital' strategy developed by Wellington City Council, which defines the key directions for Wellington towards 2040.

The Council's Social portfolio Leader, Councillor Stephanie Cook, says she hopes the pop-up garden will be a way to connect the community in Kilbirnie.

"We want locals to come down at 10.30 Saturday morning and help out with the planting," says Cr Cook.

"All you need is some gardening gloves and a trowel. If you haven't got those, a pair of rubber gloves and a spoon will do.

This is a small, but important and exciting part of the wider revitalisation plan for the area."
Wellington's next pop-up garden will "pop up" in Civic Square on January 28.