Whittington Estate, Camden


Brutalist architecture and backdrop to TV shows, this housing estate hosts many beds that are neglected by the council. The residents have tended some, but others need a lot of TLC and a bit of healthy soil added. Growing Green is taking over several beds, and we are hoping to inspire residents to get involved and slowly transform the whole estate into a site of beauty, biodiversity & sustainability. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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SUMMARY 2024: We have transformed 15 beds, combining fruit trees and soft fruit with wildflowers, perennials, climbers and shrubs - all with biodiversity, beauty and community benefits in mind. For now, we can sit back and watch the plants grow before it's spring bulb planting season in autumn.

Transformation Checklist
  • Soil improvement
  • Drought-resistant plants
  • Pollinator-friendly bulbs and perennials
  • Fruit trees & shrubs for residents
  • Log piles and other habitats
  • You never stop learning ...
  • It's a win-win - they learn, we get their help and money that flows back into the project
    Corporate volunteers from Colt: It's a win-win - they learn, we get their help and money that flows back into the project
  • Brilliant volunteers braving the rain
  • Our new little herb & pollinator garden
  • Goose / Black / Honey / Straw - berries
    Berry Garden Goose / Black / Honey / Straw - berries
  • Before: lazy bamboo
  • During: volunteers clearing the patch
  • After (for now): apple tree & wildflower seedlings
  • Lots of seedlings and seeds
  • Our wettest planting session so far
  • Before: dead bamboo, weeds and overgrown roses
  • apple trees and a purple-orange colour scheme (soon), native hedge & ferns replacing the dead bamboo
    After (for now) apple trees and a purple-orange colour scheme (soon), native hedge & ferns replacing the dead bamboo
  • Feb 24: Orchard & Wildflower Patch
  • Feb 24: Adding plants for pollinators
  • Feb 24: Nick & Capucine hard at work
  • Feb 24: Berries & Flowers for a resident's garden
  • The Team after a hard days work
  • The orchard & Wildflower Patch in February '24
  • Frontal View
  • A pink & purple patch being planted by residents
  • Before - poor soil and suffering evergreen shrubs
  • Our plans
  • The work has begun ...
  • We removed or pruned the shrubs
  • Growing Green team
  • Adding bulbs and pollinator friendly perennials
  • Dead wood is being left for insects
  • Adding more and more spring bulbs
  • After - layer of straw
  • - We have to be patient until spring for a burst of colour
    After - additional layer of straw mulch - We have to be patient until spring for a burst of colour

Transformation Process 23/24

We started transforming the first plots ...

  • removing or hard-pruning old shrubs
  • creating log piles
  • in autumn we planting over a hundred spring and summer bulbs and will plant more this autumn
  • planting many perennial flowers that will be loved by bees, butterflies and other pollinators
  • a layer of straw topped with a thick layer of straw mulch ('Strulch') will start healing the soil
  • Apple trees, cherries, gooseberries and currants will benefit the residents in the years to come
What's still to come: more beds will be transformed!!! People ask us if wen can help with their plots too and we are applying for more funds.

What's next?

As a spring/summer project, we want to help a couple of families who have children using the front gardens making them nicer, safer and more beautiful.

Garden 1

Garden 2 + 3

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Get in touch      contact@growinggreen.org.uk