Accomplishments

Our team wanted to leave tangible results for the community of Monwabisi Park. Following a model makes it easier to carry the change into one’s own home and having easily accessible resources allows a larger group of people to use sustainable agriculture to their benefit.

working with the community to make an aqua-trap

Aqua-Trap Gardens

Using the side face of old tires a small amount of sturdy tarp and some super glue, we created a simple gardening feature that allows our gardens to use less water while gaining more nutrients from the soil. We used the aqua-traps in our demonstration gardens both outside the crèche and in Nulethu‘s yard. We worked with the co-researchers to document the steps of creating an aqua-trap and we used that data to create our ‘how-to’ guide.

Container Gardens

Gardens do not have to be restricted to a standard container. In Monwabisi Park, we used tires, cinder blocks, crates and bags to create cost effective, low maintenance container gardens. There are large tire dumps behind the community, allowing for free containers. We focused our attentions on the tire gardens and we created many varieties of permaculture-inspired gardens. We planted the seedlings using the companion planting guide and worked with Xolani to water and care for them throughout our project.

Composting Options for the Proposed Sanitation Facility

Composting Bins at the Soil for Life Garden

In the redevelopment plan for Monwabisi Park, one of the key aspects is a sanitation facility that will be placed between the community centre and the eventual new housing. The dry composting toilets in this facility will produce a pathogen-filled byproduct that needs to be addressed. We came up with a variety of options that can be implemented in the sanitation facility to kill the pathogens and make the compost safe for use in food gardens. They each have their benefits and their downsides and, using our proposal, the University of Cape Town will test the compost and determine which system works the best in Monwabisi Park.

“Feed a Family” Gardening Kit

In order to achieve agricultural sustainability in Monwabisi Park, an initial investment has to be made. We have created a starter kit that includes everything a family would need to make a food garden in their own yard. Working with the Shaster Foundation and the WPI Economy Team, we designed and priced-out the gardening kit and it will be available through the Shaster Foundation soon.

Gardening Pamphlets in English and Xhosa

Education is a key aspect of sustainability. We have created easy to follow “How To” Pamphlets in both English and Xhosa which can be distributed throughout Monwabisi Park. They will also be made available in the community centre for easy access to interested community members and volunteers. With these pamphlets, prospective gardeners in the community will have step-by-step instructions that can give them the initial direction needed to begin growing their own successful crops.

View our Pamphlets

Back to Gardens Team Home

[09Gardens]