Why can’t we just have nice things?
By Thomas Ansell
A few months ago, the Gemeente Groningen launched a new scheme to help people create micro-gardens throughout the city: at the base of trees, and in gaps in the pavement. The so-called ‘geveltuinen’ have proved popular, though one Helpman resident was dismayed to find several of her plants dug up and stolen this week.
Precise holes had been dug around the creeping thyme and other lush greenery planted around the base of the tree, and several plants had been removed. The resident says that she will re-plant into the now vacant holes: “though maybe with some ‘do not steal’ signs this time!”
The Gemeente Groningen is providing help for people that also want to make micro-gardens in their local area by doing the groundwork and preparing the area (either the base of a tree, or a small plot made by removing a couple of paving slabs) for planting. Anyone that would also like to green their area should head to this webpage for informaiton, and complete the contact form.
