Gardeners share nature's bounty

Photo: JASON OXENHAM

TIME IS RIPE: Pt Chevalier’s community gardeners, from left: Yolanda van den Bemd, Crea Land and Deryn Cooper will share the fruits of their labour with the community this weekend.

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A group of gardeners will celebrate their first harvest in a corny way on Saturday.

Locals are invited to join the team from the Pt Chevalier Old Homestead Community Garden and help put their first crop of corn to good use on a good old-fashioned Kiwi barbecue.

It has been a waiting game for the corn to ripen, says gardener Deryn Cooper, because the ears can only be harvested when the tassel at the top turns black and it’s hard to predict when that will be.

She says they’ve had to time the corn festival carefully to make sure the crop will be ready, but this Saturday should be spot on.

The garden, which has been growing since June, was an initiative from members of the Pt Chevalier Transition Town group.

The plot behind the Old Homestead on Pt Chevalier Rd is now overflowing with tomatoes, corn, onions, lettuces, beans, watermelons, potatoes, courgettes and sunflowers.

Gardener Yolanda van den Bemd says Transition Towns is about moving to a different way of functioning.

"It’s about getting closer to our community and the land.

"It’s not just about food, it’s about all the ways we can live more sustainably."

The gardening group has 15 members, some beginners and some experienced gardeners and Deryn says they are always looking for more help.

The group will be distributing flyers and notifying locals this week about the barbecue. It starts at 4pm on Saturday at 92 Pt Chevalier Rd.

Guests should take their own drinks and other barbecue food.

For more information email ttptchev@gmail.com.

- © Fairfax NZ News