Growing resilience through regenerative gardening in urban spaces

© Mark van Kaathoven

Testimonials

“My heartfelt thanks to Mark for providing biodiverse conditions in our local parks with clean green waste:  we now have  thriving "wild" spaces where people can enjoy the clean air, watch the birds and insects and relax and which provide good water drainage.

I love feeling connected to where I live by being involved in these green spaces. I pick up litter and gather seeds to grow to boost planting stock.”

Carolyn

© Linda Bercusson

“I've been in the gardening business for over 20 years and I'm constantly amazed at the huge quantity of waste generated from the job. I would visit the tip a couple of times a week and 95% of my waste would end up in landfill. This is due to the fact that it always had palm, cabbage tree, flax or bamboo in it. I never had a load without it and unfortunately most refuse stations would send it all to landfill due to problems processing it. As a result I would throw all my household inorganics and any general waste I had lying around in with the green waste. I always felt guilty about sending all my garden waste to landfill but could not see another easy way of doing it.

Recently Mark saw my trailor and called me. He told me to bring my garden waste to the local park. To be honest I thought it was a scam but reluctantly agreed to meet him there. He explained to me what he was doing and showed me how he was using the garden waste to establish new gardens. I was blown away and instantly on board with the idea. 

My involvement with what he is doing has caused a change in my behaviour. I'm now diverting all my clean green waste to the park project and recycling all the plastic waste from my planting projects. It’s a great feeling knowing that my garden waste is being diverted away from landfill and being used to make our city parks more beautiful.”

Bryce Robinson, Lush Landscapes Ltd.

“Mark has been an incredible influence into turning my garden into a place of tranquility and diversity. His knowledge of plants and horticulture has made my small space something I enjoy immensely on a daily basis. I have also learnt so much from Mark about the importance of mulching and giving back to the soil by using hedge cuttings, lawn clippings and palm fronds back into the garden to break down and replenish the soil. Thank you for your patience and expertise.”

Penny Jones 

© Mark van Kaathoven

“Composting is good. We love recycling plant matter in parks because it benefits the soil by increasing the diversity of invertebrates, fertilizing the established trees and creating a new nutrient rich layer of compost to grow underplanting. As a landscaping company that generates about 50m³ of greenwaste per month, we are pleased to divert this from landfill and avoid the weighbridge tipping fees.”

Marco Bosman, Tane Road Landscapes

“It's been amazing having this resource over the past few months. I'm grateful to contribute to Western Park's ecology instead of taking my green waste to the tip, where it sometimes even ended up in general waste. Now, the park is teeming with birdlife feeding on introduced insects. Mark's work is inspiring, and I hope to see more projects like this in the future!”

Max, Max’s Gardens

“Mark, the other day in the rain I walked down Hepburn to Bereford and saw your remarkable plantings....although raining the birds were digging in the trees and it all smelt so fresh...you are remarkable…you have done brilliant work.”

Susan Robertson

Urban Jungles Music

© Mark van Kaathoven