Tembusu Urban Farmers

Initiated in 2013, the Tembusu Urban Farmers recognise that in an increasingly dense and urban environment, it is important for us not to lose touch with nature and to appreciate food production as a time-consuming process that requires effort and patience. We learn and bond over farm excursions and tending to our garden at Level 3, which we have christened “Tembusu Misty Garden” (after the inaugural Master’s cat). We experiment with different farming systems, from aquaponics to traditional soil planting, and conduct a range of garden-related workshops for the larger Tembusu community. To find out more about our activities, please read our blog here: http://tembusugardens.tumblr.com/

The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.