22 Jul, 2024 Products in use

SWG3 Community Garden: derelict land to thriving green space

Late in 2023, we were contacted by Glasgow-based horticulturist Jeremy for an order of 14 raised beds. Little did we know the scale of the project he was working on in building the SWG3 Community Garden.

BEFORE THE TRANSFORMATION

“It was an extremely neglected site beforehand. Before we could even consider planting any trees and shrubbery, we had to remove approximately 800 tonnes of contaminated soil.”

For over a decade, this site behind the main SWG3 warehouse building has been registered as derelict by Glasgow City Council. With the support of the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and VKR Foundation, 3,200m² of wasteland has now been completely transformed.

DEVELOPING THE SPACE

In consultation with neighbours, resident artists, staff and the wider local community, they designed a multi-purpose space for the community to utilise in a whole range of ways.

For example in June 2024, the Glasgow-based collective S.T.A.S.I.S took over the gardens as part of their opening event for a performance as part of Glasgow International Festival.

Check out our video walk-round from the day!

“With generous funding and valuable contributions, the garden probably couldn’t have been created to the scale and extent it is today. We’re all extremely pleased with how the space has turned out.”

Jeremy Needham, Horticulturalist & Design Lead for the community garden

COLLABORATIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS

Design and development was made in collaboration with Propagate, a collective specialising in local, community and sustainable food projects.

This is because during the consultation, demand for growing space was made clear by the local community.

 

COLLABORATIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS

Another valuable contribution came from The New York Times’. Their Climate Hub occupied part of SWG3 during COP26, framed by Es Devins, The Conference of The Trees—a miniature forest of 197 trees and plants.

As part of the Climate Hub’s legacy, the trees were donated to become part of this community space. Since then, Jeremy has been tending these indigenous plants and trees in preparation for their planting.

Now several years older, these trees have added a great deal of maturity to the garden, making it feel much more established than it actually is.

 

Watch the forest being installed in 2021!

“Glasgow Wood’s raised beds and picnic benches have been an extremely valuable addition to the gardens.

As an organisation who use reclaimed wood and support the community, their values align perfectly with those of SWG3. They’ve also been a pleasure to work with in building exactly what we need!”

Jeremy Needham

 

Photo shows one of four bespoke 2.4m Picnic Benches.

UTILISING THE SPACE

During the opening event in mid-June, Jeremy talked about the various ways the local community have begun to occupy the space in order to maintain and keep it blooming.

The community have formed a group of 20 allotmenteers to tend to the raised beds, which includes one very special accessible raised bed to ensure the space is inclusive.

UTILISING THE SPACE

A programme of workshops have allowed for the fabrication of bird boxes, tables feeders and various other additions. There’s also a sculpture designed by the Scottish artist, Jaqueline Donachie sitting on the terrace below the warehouse windows.

The recent Glasgow International performance is also an example of what the space can become.

A green oasis in the city – a space for residents and visitors of Glasgow to relax, socialise and reconnect with nature.

Places like the SWG3 community garden were previously uncommon in Glasgow, so it’s really exciting to see more public growing and greenspace being created. This wonderful garden is a 10 minute cycle from us on South Street! We’ll be doing what we can to extend our lunches and get over there.

The space is open Thursday⁠–Sunday, 10.30am⁠–5.30pm.

Head to their website to learn more and keep a track of their progress: swg3.tv/garden

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