Ten Years of the Somerset West Village Garden
Spring has always felt like a special season of possibility, but this one is extra special for the Somerset West Village Garden because it’s turning ten! That’s ten Springs of growth, hard work, and community spirit in the green heart of our Village.
Celebrating with a Lucky Draw
To mark a full decade of digging, planting, and flourishing together, the garden is running a month-long birthday celebration. Each week in October, shoppers at the Tuesday morning market will receive a free lucky draw entry to win one of ten gardening hampers, each worth over R650, generously sponsored by Kirchhoffs and Atlantic Fertiliser. Two winners will be announced each week, and on the final Tuesday of October, four lucky gardeners will walk away with hampers to keep the growing going at home.
A Garden Update
The longer days and warmer weather are already showing their magic in the veggie beds. Spinach is back to its glossy, dark green best, while lettuces, radishes, and peas are all finding their place in the soil. Baby marrows are ready to be planted out, gem squash has been tucked into its beds with a new trellis to keep the fruit off the ground, and the shade house is buzzing with trays of aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, and chillies. It’s the kind of growth that makes every gardener’s heart skip a beat.
This year, the garden is also leaning into more companion planting – a way of pairing crops that help each other thrive. Think carrots planted alongside peas for better growth, or lettuce and spinach working together to keep pests away from radishes. It’s simple, clever, and something home gardeners can try too.
Sharing the Harvest with the Village
Every Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00, you’ll find tables of freshly picked, organic vegetables on sale – cabbage, spinach, kale, carrots, turnips, spring onions, and more. October brings an extra treat too, with a pop-up coffee café in the garden every Tuesday, so you can sip, shop, and soak in the spring air.
Thanks to our community
This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the hands and hearts that have carried the garden through its first decade. From volunteers who sow and harvest to neighbours who buy their veggies each week, your support has made the Somerset West Village Garden more than just a food garden. It’s become a place of connection, learning, and hope. Here’s to the next ten years of growing together!