Cultivating community: designing a new garden in Salford

Located next to the busy A6 in Salford, Spruce Court, a high-rise residential block, lacked a safe and inviting green area. Working with Spruce Court’s residents, the RHS and Pendleton Together, part of the Together Housing Group, have designed a new garden, transforming a once uninviting area into quality green space that is accessible to all.

The transformation began in summer, involving Spruce Court’s residents at each point of the project aiming to engage even the youngest residents in the garden’s creation.

A teddy bear’s picnic event provided a fun environment and helped encourage children to share their imaginative ideas. They were asked to draw pictures showing what they would like to do in the new community garden, with spaces to play, support wildlife and spend time together coming out on top.

With initial ideas brewing, residents were invited to spend the day at the nearby RHS Garden Bridgewater. Taking inspiration from bright displays of salvia and buddleia, detailed planning took place with the support of RHS experts to create an inviting and accessible garden design that would come to life at Spruce Court over the coming months.

Ground was broken at Spruce Court in December, and the RHS will continue to work with the residents of Spruce Court as the new plants grow. In spring, children will have the opportunity to sow sunflowers, marigolds and nasturtiums in their new garden.