Sustainable community gardening in Mid and East Antrim

Community Gardeners around Mid and East Antrim welcomed a delivery of waterbutts courtesy of NI Water. 

A waterbutt is used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via pipes.

Pat McCauley, Education Officer, NI Water, said: “NI Water are delighted to support Mid & East Antrim Borough Council by donating waterbutts as part of their community garden project. Waterbutts are a great way to harvest rainwater, which can then be used to water plants, shrubs and trees. As we seek to add a little colour to our gardens and hanging baskets, we don’t need to increase our water usage to keeping our gardens blooming, remember when watering plants, always use a watering can instead of a garden hose.

"Gardening is a great chance for us all to reconnect with nature for our physical and mental wellbeing; however Northern Ireland has become one of the highest region of water users in the UK with an average of 158 litres per person per day versus the 142 UK average. With people working from home becoming the custom and the school holidays upon us, we need to take stock of how our water usage has increased and examine how much we are actually wasting daily.

"Why not ‘get water fit’ and try our new online water audit at https://www.getwaterfit.co.uk to see just how water wise you are and receive free water saving items such as 4 minute shower timers, leaky loo strips and toothy timers for the little ones.”

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr William McCaughey, said: “Community gardens are a fantastic way in which to demonstrate sustainability. Around 640 litres of water can be collected each year from a 7ft x 5ft shed roof - that's enough to keep 50 tomato plants healthy for up to three months. I hope these waterbutts will enable residents to harvest rainwater, water crops more sustainably and to save water, especially in the warmer summer months.

"We do get plenty of rain in Northern Ireland but rainwater has to be cleaned at treatment works before it goes into the taps. Less than 1% of all the water on Earth can be used by people. The rest is salt water or is permanently frozen and we can't drink it, wash with it, or use it to water plants. As our population grows, more and more people are using up this limited resource. Therefore, it is important that we all use our water wisely and not waste it. We all have a part to play to ensure there is enough water for everyone now and in the future.

"Waterbutts also support recycling efforts as they are made from recycled plastic. Other ways to garden sustainably include making your own compost from green waste and reducing or eliminating herbicide and pesticide use in Community Gardens and on allotment plots.”

There are a range of community gardens and volunteer groups across the Borough, get in touch with parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk who can direct you to your nearest garden and/or group.

There are currently three Council run allotment gardens in the Borough at Town Park Larne, Eden and Greenisland. Allotment gardening can provide a number of benefits such as the opportunity to produce a wide range of inexpensive healthy vegetables, physical exercise in the outdoors, mental wellbeing, the opportunity to make new friends, and to socialise with others. Plots can cost as little as just over one pound per week.

To apply for an allotment plot please visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/allotments.