Park of the week

201. St Raphael’s Edible Garden

I discovered this garden, in Neasden, while driving along the Benighted North Circular, from which I saw it named on a direction sign, and I added it to the ‘to visit’ list. 

St. Raphael's Edible Garden is a community garden located in Neasden. The site used to be home to a council estate, which was demolished in 2013. This left a brownfield area in the St. Raphael's estate, an eyesore prone to fly tipping. The site was acquired by Sufra, a charity in Northwest London that prevents hunger, fights poverty and builds community, in 2016. They obtained permission from Brent Council for a community garden project in 2017. It’s a private space for residents and visitors as a space to learn and engage in community gardening activities.

The garden is still managed and run by Sufra NW London, to be used by and to benefit the community. A wealth of seasonal organic, fruit, vegetables and herbs is grown all year-round. This is harvested weekly and put out at a garden market every Saturday for the community to take home on a ‘Pay-as-you-wish’ (Donation) basis. It gives residents an opportunity to come together and there seemed to be a diverse selection of people there when I visited, all working together.

There’s a yurt made of wooden poles and organic cotton, used for outdoor cooking, a wildlife pond with fish and other pond animals, and a chicken coop to produce eggs. The garden also has raised beds and fruit trees and a greenhouse for the growing of flowers and other botanicals. It is managed and maintained by staff and volunteers. 

The garden open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-4pm and on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. A Growing Club meets on Wednesdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

Judith Field

St Raphael’s Edible Garden, 162 Pitfield Way, London NW10 0PW