The programme, initiated by the National Parks Board (NParks), has resulted in gardens of fruit and vegetables sprouting across Singapore, run by residents in public and private housing estates and organisations and schools.

It aims to promote a gardening culture by encouraging and aiding gardening efforts by the community.

NParks provides guidance and advice to these gardening groups, such as on location of the garden and types of plants to grow.

Public housing estates, in particular, are where the plan is bearing fruit, not just in terms of providing welcome greenery, but in neighbourly bonding, too. There are about 115 such gardens in public housing estates alone.

One example of this heartland 'common ground' is Pride In Bloom, a community garden at Block 135 Serangoon North Avenue 2, which was opened a year ago.

Every Saturday night a group of seven residents from Serangoon North Avenue 2 get together in the middle of their housing estate for some bonding - not over drinks, but by getting sweaty and their fingers dirty.

During the week, most of them are busy working adults. But come Saturday, they are a green team, pruning plants, digging the soil and transplanting and harvesting vegetables.

The 300 sq m garden was started by Mr Wilson Wong, a post-graduate research student at the National University of Singapore.

'This is a chance for flat dwellers to do outdoor gardening on the ground,' says Mr Wong, 28. The gardening enthusiast is also the founder of Green Culture Singapore, a local website for plant lovers.

Group members plant vegetables such as Chinese mustard, Chinese cabbage, kangkong and French beans. They also plant a variety of herbs, spices and ornamental plants. The seeds and plants are paid for by the members.

Mr Wong found the plot of land, which was empty at the time, and approached his residents' committee (RC) and town council to turn it into a garden. Under the CIB scheme, town councils, together with NParks and the Housing Board, provide guidelines and advice to the RCs.

The HDB also helps identify plots of land that could be used as community gardens, while the RCs initiate the projects and are responsible for maintenance of the gardens.

Down at his very own 'grassroots' level, Mr Wong has worked out a roster for Pride In Bloom. One member, who is a housewife, does the morning watering, while another group does the evening watering when they return from work. On Saturday nights, from 6 to 10pm, the members work on the garden together.

The fruits of their labour are shared among members. Mr Wong says some are also given to the town council cleaners as well as the residents.

Anyone can visit the garden at all hours as it has no fence. Mr Wong admits there have been cases of theft and vandalism, but still he isn't keen on fencing the garden. 'I want to keep it open, so everyone can learn about plants and appreciate the garden,' he says. He believes sharing the harvest with residents will also help to deter some theft.

The garden is a hit with non-gardening residents. Mr Wong says many sometimes come in to take pictures as well as approach him for help with their plants.

The garden has also brought the residents closer to one another. Gardening member Choong Lan Fong, 44, says she wouldn't have known her neighbours if not for the garden.

The bank manager grew up on Pulau Tekong and grew vegetables as a child. 'We meet and talk not just about gardening, but also about our children,' she says.

NParks' assistant director of streetscape projects Ng Cheow Kheng is encouraged by the response of residents like those of Serangoon North to the programme.

He says the initial target was to have 50 community gardens each year, but that has been exceeded. And he hopes more Singaporeans will get into the act, by approaching their RCs.

'We want to get Singaporeans engaged to learn how plants can relate to their lives,' he says.

He adds that as most Singaporeans live in high-rise flats which afford little space for growing plants, the CIB programme allows them to do more gardening.

'It also brings neighbours of different races together, fostering the neighbourly spirit,' he says.

taysc@sph.com.sg