Fairland community garden to be moved

The Fairland Police Station is not only there to help residents where safety is concerned, the station also feeds the hungry.

When the Northcliff Melville Times visited the Fairland Police Station we noticed the small vegetable garden.

The new Fairland Police Station commander, Clive de Freitas, explained that the garden has been at the station for quite some time. He said a group of residents started the humble project and it grew, literally, from strength to strength.

De Freitas explained that people who need it most are free to pick from the garden and take the vegetables home, provided they leave some for others and leave the garden in a good condition after picking.

When the Northcliff Melville Times visited the garden with De Freitas, people had just picked from the garden.

The garden boasts mielies, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots. Marigold flowers are also strategically placed in the three wooden planters to keep bugs away, the natural way.

The garden also has an irrigation system installed that runs off water provided by the Fairland Police Station.

“Sometimes when it’s really dry and residents can’t come to water the garden, they ask us to water it for them,” De Freitas said.

He said while people usually pick from the garden, especially those who know how it works, others are too scared of picking from it in fear of being arrested as it is located on the Fairland Police Station’s property.

De Freitas said because of this, the community is looking to expand and move the vegetable garden elsewhere, where those who need it most will not fear being arrested for taking food meant for them.

He said he is unclear when the garden will be moved, however, the station, as well as community members, will inform the public.

ALSO READ: Fairland police share theft hotspots