Hidden Gem: Govanhill Community Garden
We may have some beautiful parks, but did you know about the community garden nestled within the heart of Govanhill? Turns out many folk who live here didn’t. It’s been so nice to hear from our readers who have discovered this gem after we shared the story in Issue 2 of the magazine.
by Graham Steel, ‘Head Gardener’
Drone photography by The Glasgow Snapper
Govanhill Community Garden is entered through the carpark of Samaritan House on Coplaw Street. Once a derelict space, it was transformed thanks to funding from the Govanhill Housing Association, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Big Lottery Fund, Grow Wild campaign and was opened in July 2015. It is run by a dedicated team of local volunteers from the community for the community.
There are a number of elements to the garden which are popular with the community. First and foremost, there is Govanhill Community Remembrance Garden, which has over 360 plaques and stars dedicated to lost loved ones. Twelve raised beds are used for growing a variety of flowers, fruit and vegetables. A community orchard featuring twelve fruit trees and a large raised bed of various fruit bushes was generously donated and maintained by The Orchard Project in 2019. In addition to the plants and shrubs planted in the garden when it was created, a substantial amount of bulbs and plants have been added around the garden. Marks & Spencers have generously donated items to the garden over the years.
Regular events that used to be held here have been suspended due to current restrictions. But we very much look forward to these returning at some point in the future. We ask that anyone coming to visit the garden, reads and follows the COVID instructions located at both entrances.