Garden roots deepen in USJ14

The verdant USJ14 Community Garden has grown from an idle plot into an award-winning community hub that provides produce and education opportunities.

Award-winning green hub in Subang Jaya marks eighth year with agrotourism plans, expanded community initiatives

AN award-winning community garden in Subang Jaya, Selangor, celebrated its eighth anniversary with food made using fresh produce harvested on-site.

USJ14 Community Garden (KKUSJ14) volunteers marked the milestone with a gathering that brought together residents, community leaders and supporters.

The dishes prepared included vegetables such as pucuk paku, pucuk keledek, pucuk ubi, ulam raja and winged beans as well as mangoes.

The garden was set up in 2018 on a previously idle 0.1ha plot overgrown with shrubs.

It has since transformed into a vibrant green space that benefits the local community.

Ng (seated, left), Wong (seated at table, third from left) and Chia (seated, right) with volunteers during the community garden’s anniversary celebration.

KKUSJ14 adviser Muhamad Adam Abdullah said the initiative began as a collective effort by nearby strata residents to foster cooperation, and had evolved into a source of side income for the volunteers.

The garden also doubled as a venue to learn about agricultural practices and tourism activities, he said.

Muhamad Adam said Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had been recognising environmentally friendly activities, green management and sustainable practices within residential areas and organisations in 2018.

“A group of about 20 residents came together to clear the land and plant vegetables for their own consumption, and it proved successful.

“Over the years, we have gained recognition through various community garden competitions, winning prize money that was reinvested to upgrade facilities,” he added.

Among KKUSJ14’s notable accolades were second place in the “Lanskap Komuniti Negara Taman” category awarded by the National Landscape Department in 2019, first place in the “strata” category by MBSJ in 2023, and second place in the “Anugerah Laman Hijau Strata” category by Selangor Housing and Property Board in 2024.

“Today we have about 250 types of plants producing more than enough for volunteers to share, with surplus sold to the local community,” said Muhamad Adam.

Recyclable materials creatively repurposed as decorative features.

“The organically grown vegetables have been well received,” he added.

About 50 people attended the celebration, including Subang MP Wong Chen, Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng and MBSJ councillor Ken Chia.

Muhamad Adam said their latest project involved chilli cultivation using a fertigation method under the Federal “Sejati Madani” grant.

“A total of 350 chilli plants were planted in June last year, yielding about 250kg of chillies by December.

“These were sold to local communities, markets and supermarkets, generating about RM5,000 in profit shared among the volunteers.

The urban garden started off as a small neighbourhood project in 2018 by residents.

“We will be planting a second batch, including ginger, soon.”

Muhamad Adam said the project had inspired a new agrotourism idea.

“Harvesting the bright red chillies has been an enjoyable experience, similar to strawberry-picking in Cameron Highlands.

“We thought, why not open the garden to visitors and offer chilli-picking as part of an agrotourism package,” he said, adding that the all-women team overseeing the project would also be earning an income from the effort.

Muhamad Adam said the garden had taken on an educational role since 2023, offering training sessions and workshops to the public.

“Many of us have attended agricultural and planting courses, and have hands-on experience tending to our garden; we are willing to share our knowledge,” he said.

He added that the team has conducted training sessions for corporate organisations and students on organic farming, composting, hydroponics and food waste management.