This garden is 13m by 35m and, despite being sited on tarmac, it is highly successful. It gets around the problem by using large one-ton builders’ bags. The 120 bags have been filled with compost and vegetables are crammed in tightly. By having tall plants (sunflowers, sweetcorn, beans) in the palette, the whole space comes across as productive and green and the builders’ bags are surprisingly unobtrusive.

The space was part of the proposed site of the new Crossrail station at Custom House. It was previously empty, awaiting development and had attracted antisocial behaviour. Sam Clarke, the neighbourhood participation officer for Newham Council, consulted with residents in the surrounding blocks of flats and vegetable plots were proposed. Secure fencing was imperative, but even this has been given a makeover with children from the local Kier Hardy Primary School painting murals.

The polypropylene that the builders’ bags are made of does drain, so a 2,500-litre tank has been connected up to neighbouring flats and collects the natural run. The bags need watering daily, but the community spirit is such that they help each other out. The fire brigade has also done the odd favour.

The bags needed initial filling with compost 30-40cm deep. Bywaters, a waste management and recycling company (www.bywaters.co.uk), supply this free of charge. They hold a list of all allotments and large gardens that need compost and then when they clear stables, manure and other green debris they ring round the list and deliver the goods gratis.

Source: The Daily Telegraph