Berm bombs away | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

A garden on the footpath? Green-fingered Grey Lynn locals are taking their plantings streetside. Rebecca Blithe takes a look

A frenzy of bees hover over Barbara Grace's garden, grateful for the pollen-filled plants she's nurtured on the grass berm in front of her inner-city home.

Her garden has been a fixture beside the Richmond Rd footpath for about a year. It's the product of a "berm bomb" instigated by transition town group Grey Lynn 2030 to encourage community interaction and create corridors for birds and insects to move through.

"They were looking for suitable berms and my daughter volunteered mine," says Ms Grace, a social worker for Child Youth and Family. "I'm very happy to have it. It's been good for interacting with neighbours.

"There's a whole lot of herbs: parsley, rosemary, pineapple sage, thyme," she says, pointing a rubber-gloved hand at the colourful collection. "I used to have lots of silverbeet, so I bundled it up with a little note saying, 'A present from the berm' and put it in the bus stop for people to take.

"I've had a woman jump off the bus and ask if I had any borage seedlings. So I potted some up and left them out and she left her card. It's these little interactions that you wouldn't have otherwise.

"I've watched a little girl and her mother stop and point out the flowers. I love seeing those little scenes."

Fellow Grey Lynn resident and Wilton St community garden coordinator, Mandy McMullin, says a recent meeting of the Grey Lynn 2030 group has sparked a new burst of berm-planting for bio-corridors.

Funding is available for people to buy plants, learn about recommended species, maintenance and council regulations, she says. "We have been contacted by several people since the meeting who are keen. We trust that, over time, more people will want to join in when they see the benefits."

Benefits include food and habitats for bees, insects and native lizards - threatened in cities - and reduction in stormwater run-off and soil erosion.

Ms McMullin says streets also become more pleasant environments to live in, it improves the space for walking and cycling, and encourages connections among neighbours.

Auckland Council's parks manager, Mark Bowater, says people are allowed to plant on grass berms if they get permission from the council and maintain the space.

"In essence, the council encourages community participation, but needs to balance the desire to beautify our city with the purpose of the grass verge. Any planting must not compromise the purpose of the berm or impose undue maintenance costs on ratepayers," he says, adding that Auckland Transport intends to take over maintenance of berms in the next few years.

Mr Bowater says the region's park network encourages "green corridors" and cites initiatives such as the North West Wildlink, an ecological corridor which links Hauraki Gulf islands with the Waitakere Ranges.

For additional information on berm planting, see: www.greylynn2030.co.nz

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Auckland Council guidelines for planting on berms:

Only  low-level planting  should be used. This should not impede pedestrians, restrict visibility or create a safety hazard for motorists or cyclists.

The planting (eg,  tree roots) must not affect the operation of utility services.

The planting should be maintained regularly.

Trees, large boulders, shells and similar, harder landscaping measures must not be used.

Growth must be kept clear of the roadside and any roadside structures or furniture.