The appointment is made: every month, for a day, wheelbarrows and tools are taken out to bring out the agroecological mandala of vegetables, flowers and herbs designed by Vincent Lafitte, founder of the association. “Since March 2016, we have been developing vegetable gardens in public places, in schools, medico-social establishments… It is through this that the Landes Departmental Council got to know us and then the establishment contacted us, explains the Vincent Lafitte for whom this activity has its place in such an innovative place in terms of care. Gardening is therapeutic. Creating a vegetable garden is an ideal tool for reconnecting with the earth and with others. "
For the villagers, this space near the donkeys’ enclosure is a breath of fresh air and energy. Some are regulars, like Geneviève, a villager with a green thumb, for whom gardening makes her smile again. Marie-Christiane is always ready to take part in the various activities offered in the establishment. "For me, when I understand things and can do them, it's good and it keeps me busy!" She says before resuming her task with vigor, sweeping in hand.
Une reconnexion à la terre, à soi et aux autres grâce au jardinage naturel
These human encounters are also enriching for the volunteers of the association. “Some villagers have gardening experience. Sometimes they tell us about it, sometimes less ... but they still keep their enthusiasm. It is a moment of pleasure for them to put their hands in the soil and rediscover these sensations,” says Vincent Lafitte.
After 6 months of work, the self-fertile mounds, also called "lasagnas", are now forming. They make it possible to recreate a living, loosened and fertilized soil in this area recently crushed by the comings and goings of construction vehicules. Three mounds in the winter vegetable patch allowed cabbage, onions, chard, peas, lamb's lettuce, salad, arugula and spinach to be planted from December.
From now on, it remains to assemble the agro-ecological structures of wood and stones which will constitute spirals of aromatic plants, potato towers, insect hotels and strawberry pyramids as well as a "keyhole" which will be used for the storage of compost. . Several weeks of hard work ahead under the watchful eye of Laëtitia, the youngest resident of the Village, who has chosen to observe this birth from the lens of her camera. Thanks to her for sharing her photos with us!
