Gardening on your estate
You can garden in shared green spaces on your estate. Find out how to choose an area for gardening, get permission and start a gardening group.
Get permission to garden
You must get written permission before you plant anything. If you plant without permission, we may remove the plants when we look after the area.
You'll need to know:
- the area you want to use
- what you want to plant
- who will do the work
- how you will fund your gardening plan
Ask for permission to garden on your estate
If you need help filling in the form, email residentempowermentteam@islington.gov.uk.
Choose an area for gardening
Look around your estate and choose a space you can use to grow plants. Check that:
- the area is safe to use – for example, not too close to roads or car parks
- people do not need the space for something else like bin access or fire exits
- the area is easy to reach for everyone
- it will not cause a nuisance – for example, by being too close to windows or blocking paths
- there is a tap or it is easy to carry water to it
- you can store equipment somewhere or it is easy to carry there
Visit the Royal Horticultural Society website for help planning your garden.
Start a gardening group
If you want to garden with neighbours, you can set up a group.
To start a group:
- ask your neighbours who wants to join
- meet to agree what you want to grow
- choose one person to be the main contact
- decide who will look after equipment and plan gardening sessions
- plan gardening sessions, meetings and any social events
Get funding
You can apply for money to support your gardening projects from:
- the Local Initiatives Fund
- the Cripplegate Foundation
- Voluntary Action Islington
You may be able to ask for money from members of your gardening group.
Email residentempowermentteam@islington.gov.uk to check if you can do this.
Report invasive weeds
Email estate.services@islington.gov.uk if you see Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed.
Do not attempt to remove them. They can cause health problems and spread easily.
How we can help
Email residentempowermentteam@islington.gov.uk for help with:
- starting or running a gardening group
- applying for funding
- planning and looking after your garden
If your estate has a tenants and residents association (TRA), they can also support your funding applications.