Commuter Herb Garden at Northfields Station

London Underground worker's initiative sees new life in neglected garden plots

(photos courtesy Martin Keegan)

Northfields station commuters will be able to help themselves to home grown herbs thanks to the work of one of the instructors at the depot.

Martin Keegan who's a keen gardener has already won certificates for previous work for the London Underground Flower in Bloom Competition.

Martin Keegan

He says he was asked to take on the garden plots at Northfields station after they were beginning to be used as ashtrays and. along with colleagues, has transformed the neglected spaces into small green oases.

Martin says he and 5 crew members look after the plots - all in their own time - and will often arrive at work several hours early to carry out general maintenance of the gardens.

Train Driver Kevin Chapman is another tube station gardener

The idea is that once the herbs are fully established commuters can help themselves to small amounts to make use of in their meals.

Martin says keeping the plants hydrated can be a bit of an effort as water is only available from the station mess room which is a fair distance from the plots - if the plants are looking particularly parched commuters with water bottles are encouraged to share a drop or two.

The initiative has been greeted with an enthusiastic response on the local community social media page with many residents offering to donate plants and help tend the garden. Suggestions of which herbs to plant have included mint, sage, rosemary and basil.

Martin's keen the flowers and herbs beds aren't used as rubbish dumps and urges everyone to lend a hand where they can.  He says: '' I want to maintain the garden as much as I can throughout the Summer months and hope that other passengers would do the same thing.''

Martin welcomes any other plant donations, which will be used on the Eastbound section, and says they can be left at the supervisors office at the station.

1 June 2017