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Sallymills is a new scheme managed by Clann. These 85 new A-rated, high-quality homes opened in mid-December 2023. As the residents settled in and became more familiar with their new home, they came together to discuss the idea of developing a resident led initiative, the creation of a new communal garden. The area already had a garden with great potential, but there were no plants or flowers in it. The residents spoke to their Resident Housing Officer to request some landscaping work on the garden. Residents and staff held a consultation meeting to discuss the project, but unfortunately it would be 2 – 3 years before a budget would be available to cover the costs of the garden project. This timeline motivated the residents to see what could be done sooner.
Planter pots were preferred by Clann as the team were asked not to dig into the soil to preserve the quality. The residents got together and came up with the idea of asking local garden centres for old planter pots. Their efforts were rewarded with a number of planters from two garden centres. The residents approached South Dublin County Council who gave 1000 mixed bulbs which we have already been planted in time for Spring 2025. A lot of residents came out on the day and had a great time and lots of craic planting, chatting and getting to know each other.
Additionally, the resident created a fund themselves to get the project off the ground. This meant that they were able to visit a garden centre and bought some beautiful, rare plants at trade price. They are now busy fundraising by holding a weekly lottery and running a music quiz which if planned for the end of the month.
For the next phase of the project, the residents are waiting on a delivery of topsoil from the Council. They are also in the process of asking local building sites in the area for soil as this is one of the most expensive outlays for the project.
Looking to the future, they are hoping to purchase a garden shed to store garden tools and bags of compost etc.
Barbara, a resident in Sallymills, commented, “We will continue to plant and sow and grow what we can and come together as a community looking forward to the spring when all our plants and flowers will start to bloom.”
