Damian creates a garden for the community

Delville resident Damian Losper is one of many who lost their jobs and took the opportunity to do something he loves and had been planning to do for some time.

Damian said his lockdown has been busy and he is happy that it has allowed him to pursue his plan of starting his garden.

“I had been planning to start this vegetable garden for some time, but just never had the time and also lacked support from the area.

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“I really wanted to utilise the alley behind my house because people were just littering in it and the space was attracting rats.

“With this garden I can keep the rats away and also benefit the community,” said Damian.

The alley garden encompasses a space of 90m in width and six metres across.

“Germiston homes often have alleys like this that are not utilised.

“I saw this as an opportunity to use the space because it will benefit the community.

“We can feed families from this garden.

“So on the second day of lockdown I decided to stop complaining and started clearing the space.

“The cleaning up took me three weeks,” said Damian.

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He said he does not have any background in agriculture, but has an interest.

“I had no knowledge of how to start gardening, but because I have a passion I did my research and took it from there,” said Damian.

Because he did not have the finances to buy things he needed for the garden, he used things he had in his existing garden.

“Gardening requires a lot of water, so I decided to build a water system that uses the dishwater from the kitchen.

“The system is not perfect I still need a few things to make sure it filters the water before we use it to water the garden since it is recycled water,” said Damian.

He said he needs help with donations and equipment because he cannot afford to buy all the things that he needs to keep the garden going.

“The garden was doing very well until the cold weather as it has been harsh on the plants.

“There are things I can buy to protect the plants, but due to a lack of funding I cannot get them.

“If there is anyone or a company who can donate or assist me with the items I need to make sure the garden strives, I would be very grateful,” said Damian.

He said the garden can be good for the community.

“I am planning to start gardens in other alleys if the homeowners allow me to use their space.

“We can achieve so much here and at the same time I am keeping it clean and rat free.

“My goal is to supply Germiston people with fresh vegetables at a low price and those funds will go to the maintenance of the gardens,” said Damian.

Some of the items needed for the garden to survive and grow are:

• Two JoJo tanks,
• One pump booster,
• Two water-house 5000 litre submersible pumps,
• One garden pump (1100/45 boosting pump),
• Solar panel system with converter and storage battery (6kw),
• X1 Generator,
• Compost compose
• Wonder plant booster (all purpose),
• No More Ants D-worm /cut worm repellant,
• Seagro plant food,
• Four Warthog Agencies tank to pump connectors kits,
• Garden hose pipe,
• Four swinger sprinklers,
• Four plastic water taps,
• Plastic green underground mat and
• Black water pipes (30 meters).

These items will ensure the growth and quality of the garden.

“They are expensive hence I am asking for donations from anyone who is willing to assist.

“It can be a company or individual I will appreciate and be grateful for any donation,” said Damian.

“It will assist me greatly.

“I really want to see my garden succeed.”

For more information or to assist contact Damian on 063 867 7206.