In the Izards-Trois Cocus district, volunteers from a participatory nursery, managed by the association Grows Ô Abris, grow plants and trees with respect for nature and the seasons. This Saturday, the association is organizing its first plant sale of the year!
Once upon a time... A parking lot that turns into giant garden
In autumn 2020, Claire and Sandra, two landscapers from the Toulouse region, imagined a brand new project:
"Create a collective nursery strong>, which can be a tool to make citizens active in the revegetation of the city by multiplying together “useful” plants, which will be used for planting projects on the territory."
Toulouse Métropole offers, to host the project, a 2,000m² plot of land in the Izards-Trois Cocus district.A temporary parking space is then transformed, thanks to the work of volunteers, into an experimentation plot for the project. 'Pousses Ô Abris association.
Producing plants from our neighborhoods locally
At the beginning of 2023, the first productive season on the plot is launched! More than 100 varieties of plants are plantedin this nursery, located on Route de Launaguet. "We useecological production techniques and act to preserve and restore biodiversity in the city", specifies the association, which has the ambition to amplify the dynamic of greening of the district and Toulouse.
On the plot grow perennial plants, trees and shrubs, as well as aromatic and food plants. "We produce resistant plants, adapted to the climatic conditions of the region but also useful, both for us and for the garden" specifies Emmeline Assemat, project coordinator of the association. The objective: "to work with nature, and not in opposition."
This year, the association is looking for places to plantation (private or public) to accommodate the shoots.
A meeting place and vector of social bond
Every Tuesday and Wednesday , volunteers from the Pousses Ô Abris association gather to work together on construction sites: sowing, maintaining plants, harvesting, construction and layout of the nursery... For a moment of meeting< /strong> and sharing of knowledge and know-how.
"We organize workshops and events and we meet twice a week for collective projects to develop the plot in a friendly atmosphere" – Emmeline Assemat
An opportunity for local residents to reconnect with life and the earth, and to reclaim plant production. a mixture of complementary skills, but no obligation: “everyone is welcome at the nursery”, specifies the association.
You also want to get your hands on the ground Just join the association.
Plant sales at spring
This Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the nursery opens its doors to the public for its first major plant saleof the year ! On the program: aromatic, condiment, medicinal and melliferous plants... Enough to green up your interior with local and ecological plants, but also support the association for a few euros. Count between €3 and €5 for a plant.
Four other sales are planned between now and the summer! In 2023, 1,200 plants were sold.