Last Saturday (21 May), Merton Garden Streets held the first community planting event of the year and a whopping 70 streets across Merton took part! 

Merton Garden streets is a volunteer-led project that encourages people to plant pollinator-friendly flowers in their front gardens, tree pits, a green roof on a bin shed, or even just a hanging basket.

All volunteers were given a starter pack of about 10-12 evergreen and perennial pollinator-friendly flowering plants. Plants were delivered where possible using zero-emission cargo bikes or via volunteers. 

Neighbours across Merton helped each other plant front gardens. Quite a few cups of tea were had, with lots of chatting and laughing too! 

Each street organised its planting day differently. For example, on Burstow Road, residents held a plant swap with biscuits and treats and then planted front-facing areas along the road. 

While in Hartland Way, a large group of residents worked tirelessly from morning into the evening, working as a team and in smaller family groups, to plant street-tree pits and verges.

In 2021, Merton Climate Action Group launched the Merton Garden Streets initiative, a volunteer-led project delivered by residents and businesses to make our streets greener. This year, Merton Garden Streets has been transferred to Sustainable Merton, with support from Merton Council and led by local volunteers.

Through encouraging street and front garden planting, together we are improving community well-being and delivering important environmental benefits, such as increasing wildlife, improving air quality, and helping to prevent flooding.

Keep an eye out for Merton Garden Street flags identifying where our volunteers have planted up verges!