Growing Food, Growing People
Somerset west Village GardenA community project to grow and provide vegetables for the homeless and unemployed people of Somerset West.
About Our Garden
Somerset West Village Garden was established in 2015 on a derelict park.
The fresh, organic vegetables are sold at the weekly market and donated to the Thomas House of Hope for their feeding scheme.
Every Tuesday 9am -11am is Harvest Day!
On the Harvest Day Table this week
See our Facebook Feed for what’s available weekly
Come rain or shine
41 New Street
(corner of New & Drama Streets)
Somerset West
To receive our weekly Harvest Table WhatsApp notification please WhatsApp “add me” to
+27 (0)82-901 2636
or follow us on Facebook
Growing food – Growing people
By encouraging the homeless to get involved with the Somerset West Village Garden and other projects run by the Thomas House of Hope, they are offered a “hand up” rather than a “handout”, with access to nutrition, care and vital resources.
Our Produce
The vegetables that we grow supply the Thomas House of Hope feeding scheme and are also available to the public to purchase at our weekly harvest days.
We pride ourselves on growing organic, seasonal produce that is affordable and delicious, and the methods we use are sustainable and ecologically friendly – resulting in the added bonus that diverse fauna have returned to the park.
Tokens Earned
%
Organic
Meals Provided
Success Stories
Latest news
How to grow peas
School Outings
We have put in place an educational program that would be suited to children from Grade R – Grade 7. We are delighted that Tracy Elliott, who previously taught at Somerset House, will be heading up this program. Educational outingsAt the Community...
The Garden is Home to
Local fauna has proved a rewarding byproduct of greening the urban space, and it has been amazing to see how this neglected piece of land has literally come to life over two years:
- A chameleon first showed up in the tomato bed, and now pops up every so often in the beans or artichokes
- The ubiquitous hadedas, Egyptian geese and guinea fowl have gradually been replaced by double collared sunbirds, sparrows, wagtails, prinias and spotted thick-knees (dikkops).
COMPOST HEAP
A compost heap that feeds the entire garden and makes a remarkable improvement to the quality of our organic vegetables – thanks to the expertise of Tossie van Tonder
OWL HOUSE
Installed by Chris Bester (our very own MacGyver) – two eagle owls have been spotted in the vicinity and we’re hoping they’ll move in soon
SHADE HOUSE
Doubling as a shelter for our gardeners.
INSECT HOTEL
Again built by Chris Bester, which will hopefully attract the masses of ladybirds currently living in the artichoke bed
WATER TANKS
Three 5000L water tanks donated by the Sanctimonia Group, again installed with the help of Chris Bester.
Our PARTNERS
Thomas House of Hope
Has implemented programmes whereby street people can work in exchange for tokens which they can use for meals, ID books, clothing, toiletries and showers.
Somerset West Night Shelter
The Somerset West Night Shelter serves the homeless community by providing secure overnight sleeping, evening meals and breakfast, and ablution facilities with warm showers. They also offer social work services and administrative support, and host workshops on pertinent issues
Circular Homes
Circular Homes closes the loop on kitchen and garden waste – through composting. They supply quality and affordable compostable and earth-friendly products for homes, and also receive donations of fermented kitchen waste from the public. Their vision is to convert the compost and soil into bee-friendly flower parks and community vegetable gardens.
Our Latest Seasonal Recipes
Beans with Caramelized Shallots, Rosemary and Garlic
BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOT, ROSEMARY AND GARLIC 1 tsp Sea Salt450 g Green Beans (tails removed)2 tbsp Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)2 tbsp Shallots (Diced)2 tbsp Garlic (Minced)1/4 tsp Fresh Rosemary (Chopped)1/4 tsp Lemon zest (Grated)1/2 squeeze Juice of one Lemon...
Amazing Dressed Beets
AMAZING DRESSED BEETS 600 g Raw Baby Beets (ideally with leaves *)4 Clementines1/2 Bunch Fresh Tarragon (+-15g)100 g Goat's Cheese (Crumbed)40 g Walnuts halves (Shelled & unsalted) Reserve any nice smaller beet leaves, halve any larger beets and cook,...
Peas, Broad Beans, Chilli and Mint Salad
PEAS, BEANS CHILLI & MINT 1/2 Bunch Fresh Mint (1+-5g)200 g Broad Beans (Podded )200 g Fresh or frozen Peas (Podded)1 Red chilli (Deseeded & finely chopped)1 Lemon Rip off and reserve the top leafy half of the mint. Put the stalks in a pan of boiling water,...
A special thank you to our sponsors
We are enormously grateful to our sponsor and partners, without whom we would be unable to continue.