Ton refurbished a piece of Buytenwegh
What was once a dull lawn on Django Reinhardthove in Buytenwegh is now a green neighborhood garden with fruit trees, herbs and a place to meet. Neighbor Ton van Zeijl set up a permaculture garden with help from his neighbors and from the municipality. More places like this in Zoetermeer could use a facelift. Do you have an idea for a greener, safer or cozier part of town? Let us know via Opknappen van stukken Zoetermeer. Ton tells us how he did it in his neighborhood.
For 40 years Ton has lived in Buytenwegh. During a course on 'Permaculture design' he has to make a design for a self-devised assignment. That will be the lawn at the end of the street: how can this change 'from poop field to an edible garden'? He makes a design for a permaculture garden and a plan for more mutual contact with his neighbors. They respond enthusiastically and the municipality also wants to cooperate with the plan. In May 2024, the garden will be festively opened.
A nice place for plants, animals and people
"In a permaculture garden, you combine plants and trees in such a way that they reinforce each other and require little maintenance," Ton says. "That's how you create a healthy and self-sustaining environment for plants, animals and people. Last spring, for example, it was very dry. Because we cleverly arranged the garden, we hardly needed to give extra water." Not only does the garden look beautiful, but you will also find a variety of edible herbs, plants and fruit trees such as strawberries, apple trees and a walnut tree. Visitors are welcome to taste a strawberry or pick some herbs to cook with.
Meetings in the neighborhood
"The thing I like most about the garden is that it creates new encounters in the neighborhood," Ton says. "Walkers stop for a moment, are more likely to chat, and children play on the bench or among the planters."
Also gardening?
Ton hopes more people in the neighborhood discover the garden. "Because of the design of the garden, you don't really have to do that much to it, but it's always nice when people in the neighborhood want to help with maintenance."
Do you enjoy gardening in the permaculture garden sometime? Speak to Ton in the neighborhood or email permacultuurtuin@gmail.com.
Photos: Ton van Zeijll