Singapore: Boon Lay residents harvest 60 sugarcanes from community garden after growing them for 8 months
Their vegetable harvests are usually shared among the community and the vulnerable.
By Zoe Ern Yap
Mothership
February 16, 2023
Excerpt:
Later on, some residents and gardeners brought up the idea of cultivating sugarcane on a small plot of garden space to Tee, and suggested sharing the harvested sugarcane with the community and needy residents in the area.
Currently, three community gardeners comprising RN volunteers and residents manage the farming of the sugarcane plots.
However, residents are also encouraged to visit the garden and offer their “‘green fingers’ and support” to make the space more “vibrant and inclusive” for all.
The RN shared that in addition to sugar cane, other vegetables and local fruits are planted.
Some notable mentions are the winged bean, bitter gourd, snake gourd, Malabar spinach, Chinese kale, Brazilian spinach, endive, luffa and taro.
Tee has also collaborated with NParks to make enhancements to the current allotment garden.
This includes designing a frame structure made entirely out of PVC pipes to support plant growth, and to allow the gardeners to have a more “standardised system” for gardening.
Tee suggested that the harvested sugarcanes can be enjoyed as a cooling drink, or simply cut into bite-sized cubes to be chewed for the sweet juice.
Encouraged by the strong support from the residents, Tee plans to cultivate and grow more interesting plants and vegetables to share with the community.
He also envisions the garden space becoming a place that offers educational lessons to young children to promote community gardening.
