As the summer weather arrives, companion David gives us an update on progress with the Emmaus Village Carlton Garden Project…
“Over the past year, I’ve really got involved with the Garden Project. You can read more about the project and my gardening work in my first report here.
We’re now entering the summer months of 2021, and the weather has been just perfect for growing fruit and vegetables. I’ve watered regularly; recently I didn’t visit the garden area for a day, and when I came back I could really see how everything is shooting up – even in that short amount of time!
At the moment we’re growing so many things: sweetcorn, carrots, parsnips, coriander, rocket, courgettes, lettuce, butternut squash, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cabbages, potatoes, strawberries, runner beans and brown beans.
The peppers and sweetcorn were grown from seed inside and will soon be ready to be replanted outside.
Emmaus Village Carlton is my home for now, but in future, my dream would be move back to Malawi (where I have lived in the past) and buy my own smallholding. I’d grow food to sell, and keep goats and chickens.
Ultimately, I love gardening and it’s a good feeling to know that right now I’m helping to produce healthy food for the companions here. I like to use my knowledge and experience to help improve things in the garden, and I learn new things myself too.
I’ve taken some photos of the Emmaus Village Carlton garden so everyone can see what it looks like now; please have a scroll through my gallery below.”