In conjunction with the Ang Mo Kio Town Council’s annual Tree Planting Day on 29 October 2023, the AMK-in-Bloom Diamond Award winners were presented with certificates and prizes at the event.

The competition, held every two years by the Town Council, aims to recognise the efforts of the community gardeners and encourage them to continue to enjoy gardening as a fun and healthy activity.

Five gardeners from the winning community gardens shared their gardening journeys and efforts to make their gardens a unique place for everyone to enjoy.

Community outreach thrives

The Kebun Baru Link RC (Blk 173) Community Garden, located at Blk 173 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, was established in 2010. Sprawling over 140 sqm (larger than a 5-room HDB flat), it is a delightful mix of fruits, vegetables and flowers. From banana, chiku and passion fruit trees to vegetable plots of kailan, bak choy and pumpkin, to fragrant orchids and jasmine flowers, it’s a verdant retreat amid the urban life.

Rain or shine, the gardeners will water and tend the garden every morning. Mr Leong Ah Tuck said: “You will need passion and dedication to maintain such a garden. When the weather is scorching hot, we take extra care of the garden by watering it twice daily.” They have also installed a net over the vegetable plot to protect the crops from pests such as birds and butterflies.

Education and community outreach are at the heart of the garden's mission. The garden is open regularly for tours, especially for the eager young minds from the nearby kindergartens and after-school care centres. “The children are always curious to learn about the different living organisms, and we will catch some earthworms to show them during their visits. Their faces will light up when they see these creatures,” said Mr Leong with a laugh.

“We also welcomed residents to our garden and will give them their favourite flowers after their visit,” he added.

The gardeners’ generosity knows no bounds. They often share the garden's produce at community events, from distributing winter melons at an RC celebration to making potted plants for residents at this year’s National Day celebration. Their support for the community is evident.

Growing seeds of joy

The journey of RN Link 174 Community Garden began in 2018. Mr Eric Tan Kim Huat and several community gardeners started their green project in a 4x6 metres space.

The garden, located at Blk 174 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, is a visual treat and a sensory delight. It boasts a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs such as dragonfruit, kang kong, mint leaves and feng wei cao (凤尾草), known to relieve symptoms of diarrhoea and urinary tract infections.

The gardeners have taken an innovative approach to promoting organic and sustainable farming. Mr Tan said: “Instead of using chemical fertiliser, we enrich the soil with coffee powder residue and crushed eggshells sourced from the local wet market. This not only reduces waste but also enhances the taste and health benefits of the produce.”

The garden's appeal extends beyond its produce. The gardeners’ commitment is evident in their meticulous maintenance routine. From weekly weeding to regular inspections for defects, every detail is attended to, ensuring the garden remains a picturesque and safe haven for all visitors.

They often share their harvest with nearby residents, as they believe in spreading joy and kindness. Mr Tan said: “We organise weekly food-sharing sessions and invite residents to savour the fresh produce.” 

A footpath has recently been added using repurposed concrete slabs from the nearby construction site to make the garden more accessible. “This addition ensures safety and ease for visitors. With this in place, we’re looking forward to welcoming groups from the nearby church and school, further strengthening community ties,” said Mr Tan.

An oasis of relaxation

Nestled in Blk 101 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Fruits Garden @ Heights has captivated residents since its inception in 2014.

What might be dismissed as just a bare plot of land, Mr Johnny Kee Chong Hee, a piano teacher, got inspired and envisioned this place as a haven where young children could learn, and residents could find solace through the plants grown in the garden.

Today, residents of all ages would pause to admire the garden as they walk by. “A neighbour told me she spends about 15 minutes every day just to bask in its beauty,” said Mr Kee.

Spread over an area the size of a 4-room flat, the garden is full of edible wonders, from tropical delights such as papayas, bananas and avocados to zesty limes, lemons and passion fruit. And it doesn't stop there. With vegetables such as Japanese cucumber, chilli and the exotic dragonfruit, Mr Kee ensures that the garden offers something for every palate.

He often hosts sessions for preschool children from a nearby block to learn more about the origins of fruits and vegetables. “Many of them thought that these fruits and vegetables come from the supermarket, and so I will introduce them to the fascinating fruit journey from seed to table,” laughed Mr Kee. 

For budding gardeners, he offers a few golden nuggets of advice: Always keep the soil aerated, water regularly, add fertilizer, and keep the plant healthy by removing weeds and dry leaves.

Continuous learning flourishes

Located at Blk 463 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Teck Ghee Grandeur Community Garden is a haven of greenery and life. Its story began with Mr Ng Kian Guan. In 2007, he wanted to maintain his health through active living, so he chose gardening and started the community garden without any experience.

Undeterred, he visited other community gardens and adapted their best practices. Today, the garden flourishes and thrives under his care and that of several dedicated community gardeners. 

The garden is a mosaic of flavours and health benefits, from papayas, passion fruits and sugarcane to herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, such as ginger and lemongrass. “Some neighbours who have had dengue will get papaya leaves from me and have recovered well after taking them. Others will get some herbs, pandan or even curry leaves for cooking. We’re glad these herbs have helped their general well-being,” he said.

The garden is more than just a place to grow plants; it's a hub for learning and sharing. Gardeners will get together and discuss besnt-growing practices and introduce new, exotic species. A point of pride in this garden is the rare Japanese papaya, with its distinctive yellow flesh and minimal seeds, which has captivated many visitors.

Like any venture, their gardening adventure has been a rich tapestry of lessons, from rethinking an automatic watering system to tweaking pest control measures. 

“We had to remove an automatic irrigation system because the water from the sprinklers hit passers-by," said Mr Ng. They also removed the netting initially installed to keep pests out of the garden due to air blockage. "We've also learnt that we can't use chicken droppings to grow papaya because it causes an infestation of worms," he added. 

Mr Ng's reflections on their gardening journey are humble yet inspiring. "It's all been a learning process, trial and error," he said. "But every challenge has only strengthened our garden and brought our community closer."

A testament to community spirit

At the heart of Block 441 Hougang Ave 8 is a lush green oasis, the Hibiscus Community Garden. Tended by the energetic Madam Laxie Mary Bunny Sequeira and 23 dedicated gardeners, it boasts a variety of crops. 

Mdm Laxie said: “Nearly 70% of the plants in our garden are edible fruits and vegetables, such as watermelons, sugarcane, tomatoes, lady fingers and brinjals.” The garden stretches 200 metres and has a dedicated area for bonsai plants.

For the gardeners, the garden is a symbol of community. A cosy sitting area allows residents to have relaxed conversations, and the gardeners regularly host potluck sessions. These events are a culinary treat, with dishes prepared from the garden's produce and shared with the community. “One of our gardeners is a Thai lady and she makes very delicious papaya salad for our parties,” said Mdm Laxie. Memorable events such as the Mid-Autumn festival light-up celebrations testify to the garden's role in fostering community bonds.

Understanding the profound impact of gardening on character development, Mdm Laxie works with the nearby primary school and preschool. They have a special learning plot where students and visitors can learn about potting and even take home a potted plant.

She sees the garden as a platform to promote the myriad benefits of horticulture. She hopes to work with more schools and educate the public about best planting practices. A particularly touching initiative is her plan to engage residents with dementia in gardening activities.

Citing the positive impact it had on a gardener's sister with dementia, she believes in the therapeutic power of gardening. “The community garden is more than just a space to grow plants. It is a symbol of unity, a centre of education, and a beacon of hope and optimism for the community,” she said. 

Come and visit these community gardens to relax your mind and appreciate the hard work of our community gardeners!

[Chinese]

五个社区花园获颁2023年“锦簇宏茂桥”钻石花园奖。这个比赛由宏茂桥市镇理事会每两年举办一次，旨在肯定社区园丁在绿化工作的优异表现。这些获奖的社区花园种植了各种蔬果和花卉，不仅常与街坊共享收成，还欢迎邻近的学校组团参观，让学生体验园艺的乐趣。

[Malay]

Lima taman masyarakat telah memenangi Anugerah Taman Berlian ‘AMK-in-Bloom’. Pertandingan yang diadakan setiap dua tahun oleh Majlis Bandaran Ang Mo Kio ini bertujuan mengiktiraf usaha para pekebun masyarakat dan menggalak mereka untuk terus giat berkebun sebagai aktiviti yang seronok dan menyihatkan.

[Tamil]

ஐந்து சமூகத் தோட்டங்கள், “AMK-in-Bloom” போட்டியில் வைரத் தோட்ட விருதை வென்றுள்ளன. அங் மோ கியோ நகர மன்றம் ஈராண்டுக்கு ஒருமுறை நடத்தும் இந்தப் போட்டி, சமூகத் தோட்டக்கலைஞர்களின் முயற்சிக்கு அங்கீகாரம் அளிக்கிறது. அதோடு, கேளிக்கையான, ஆரோக்கியமான நடவடிக்கையாகத் தோட்டக்கலையில் தொடர்ந்து ஈடுபடவும் அவர்களுக்கு ஊக்கம் கொடுக்கிறது.