The first seeds of a communal green space in Borehamwood were sown when members of the public gathered for a gardening class.

People of all ages visited Three Ways Community Centre in Arundel Drive in Borehamwood on Saturday for the first event of housing Association Affinity Sutton’s Cultiv8 programme.

Run with partner Food Up Front, which encourages food growing in urban areas, the scheme aims to give gardeners the chance to grow herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables near their homes.

A three-month consultation period is now underway to hear residents’ ideas for projects involving uncultivated green space and work out how they might be put into action.

During the event, residents planted pots and talked about what they wanted from a garden in Borehamwood.

Food Up Front co-ordinator Seb Mayfield said the project was in its early days, but he had been impressed by the keenness of those who came along.

He said: “This is very early stages for Cultiv8 in Borehamwood and the point of this period is to understand what interest there is in the idea of using communal green space for activities such as food growing.

“The residents that did come along were very keen and this is the most important thing for us at the moment.”

Next Friday, members of the public will be able to eat pea soup and learn how to grow pea shoots at 10 Leeming Road.

Neighbourhood Investment Manager at Affinity Sutton, Judie Obeya, said: “Our Cultiv8 programme seeks to support local food growing, volunteering, recycling and improving green spaces to help residents wanting to improve their neighbourhoods and bring the community together.

“Many of our residents have outdoor spaces and gardens which they’re unsure of what to do with. What better way to utilise them than growing your own produce.”