Garden maintenance
You are responsible for keeping your garden tidy and free of rubbish. Some of your other garden responsibilities include:
- trimming and lopping any shrubs, hedges and trees to make sure they do not become a nuisance to neighbours
- maintaining fences, garden paths and garden features such as patios or terraces.
Can I change my garden?
You can change elements of your garden, but you do need our written permission if you would like to:
- put up a garage, shed or greenhouse
- put up or change a wall or fence
- cut down, remove or destroy any bushes, hedges or trees unless you planted them.
Simply send us a quick letter explaining what you would like to change in your garden and we will send you a written response. If we do not provide permission, we will give you a reason. You can also call us to get advice about any changes you would like made to your garden. Contact your neighbourhood office.
St Mary's Secret Garden is a community garden situated off Kingsland Road (near Fellows Court Estate). The garden is a peaceful oasis, made up of four interlinking areas; a natural woodland, a food growing area, herb garden and herbaceous borders.
Hackney residents living on estates with a TRA can take part in a free 10 week gardening course, running once a week.
Course content
- Practical experience of preparing and planting a vegetable or herb bed
- Taking cuttings and making plants to take home
- Learning which tools to use for the job
- Identifying weeds
- Planting up containers
- Health and safety in the garden
The course is suited to anyone who is interested in increasing their confidence and knowlege through learning basic gardening skills to those with more experience. As well as meeting new people and learning about gardening you will also receive a certificate for the National Proficiency Test Councils (NPTC) Skills for Working Life.
The sessions will run once a week at St Mary's Secret Garden and on a selection of estates in the local area, improving green spaces.
There are two courses running; during the evening on Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm, starting from 30 April and during the day on Fridays, 1-3:30pm, starting from 9 May.
For more information and to sign up for the course contact, Claudia Sartori on 020 7739 2965 or email