Free greens going down a treat in Mainstreet gardens

Mainstreet Wanganui makes eating your leafy greens cheaper and easier than ever.

Parsley, lettuce, silverbeet and bok choy are planted throughout the city centre and available for anyone to pick.

Mainstreet Wanganui gardener Julie Heathcote came up with the idea to include edible plants in the gardens as a way to add variety.

Mrs Heathcote had to replant some lettuces and silverbeet because people had been taking the entire plants.

"Take as much as you like, but please don't take the whole plant," Mainstreet Wanganui marketing manager Elise Goodge said.

Ms Goodge has been told people have been seen trying to sneakily grab the parsley and lettuce, unaware they are free to do so.

Mrs Heathcote noted parsley grows well under roses and has added parsley to the City Centre gardens in recent years during the summer.

Mrs Heathcote should be replanting the boxes next month for the change of season, and it is unlikely the new plants will be edible.

"It all depends on the season and what plants work best with what season," said Ms Goodge.