Caldwell Gardens Transformation

We spent a week transforming a 400 square metre barren concrete courtyard into a thriving community garden filled with over 60 square metres of edible and ornamental planting in the centre of a housing estate in Lambeth.
Residents were involved with every stage of the design process, deciding on layout, materials and planting choices. When it came time to install, residents planted most of the several hundred plants we laid out for them. And we continued to support Caldwell Gardens for several years afterwards through the Council’s Edible Living program, growing food with residents in some of the beds, while others developed into beautiful, biodiverse areas supporting local pollinators and birds.
Thanks to the ongoing involvement of residents in curating the site, Caldwell Gardens has won awards from the London Garden Society (Top 3 Community Gardens 2021) and in Blooming Lambeth 2020 and 2022.

Summary

Year: 2017

Duration: 1 week

Purpose: Transform an abandoned courtyard in the centre of a Lambeth housing estate into a beautiful, biodiverse space that supports resident wellbeing.

Vegetables played a big role in the original design, making use of the pots already on site.
The garden is the focal point for hundreds of residents' window and balcony views.
We made sure residents of all ages had jobs to do during the install
Salvia, Stipa, Verbena and Nepeta created a riot of colour and texture
For some residents, this was their first garden since leaving their home country
Pelargoniums added colour in the first year, to be overwhelmed by Nepeta and Lavender the next
In late spring, alliums emerged to complement the Nepeta and wallflowers, all knit together by grassy foliage.
The pergola was rebuilt from the railings that used to cross the site
The original site, criss-crossed with railings to stop ball games. A dead space.
The completed site in its first summer.
In year 2, the trailing rosemary began to take form, providing aromatic herbs for residents.
In its second spring, the artichoke, grasses and wallflowers began to dominate more
In the middle of its second summer, the garden had exploded with rich purples set against the glowing Stipa foliage.

Caldwell Gardens Transformation

Summary

Vegetables played a big role in the original design, making use of the pots already on site.

The garden is the focal point for hundreds of residents' window and balcony views.

We made sure residents of all ages had jobs to do during the install

Salvia, Stipa, Verbena and Nepeta created a riot of colour and texture

For some residents, this was their first garden since leaving their home country

Pelargoniums added colour in the first year, to be overwhelmed by Nepeta and Lavender the next

In late spring, alliums emerged to complement the Nepeta and wallflowers, all knit together by grassy foliage.

The pergola was rebuilt from the railings that used to cross the site

The original site, criss-crossed with railings to stop ball games. A dead space.

The completed site in its first summer.

In year 2, the trailing rosemary began to take form, providing aromatic herbs for residents.

In its second spring, the artichoke, grasses and wallflowers began to dominate more

In the middle of its second summer, the garden had exploded with rich purples set against the glowing Stipa foliage.

Urban Growth Learning Gardens