Category
The Tecoma Community Garden was established in 1983 on land owned by the Yarra Ranges Council, in a lovely sunny spot behind Sherbrooke Cottage. The day-to-day management of the ‘non-chemical’ garden is overseen by a committee of current garden members who have paid a one-off joining fee and an annual fee for a full or half plot. There is 18 plots, each approximately 8×4 meters. There is also a shared orchard, general flower garden/pollinator areas and a compost bin system which is managed by all plot holders.
A food share cupboard has recently been added and surplus food is also delivered by individual members to Food is Free Tecoma.
Garden opening times: The garden is open when any garden member is present, which can be anytime during daylight hours. Children are welcome and encouraged to come to the garden with their family member/s.
Other Activities: Working bees are held on the last weekend of each month on alternating Saturdays and Sundays, 9.30-12.00pm followed by a shared morning tea. Other social activities include an end of year celebration.
New Members: There are usually some vacant plots available for new members.
For further information and requests for plots: contact Ros on 0457297115 or Raffy on 0418533972
.
FLAME – Food, Life, Art, Music and Education
The FLAME garden started 8 years ago by three women on land at the Tecoma Uniting Church. It is a wonderfully welcoming spot run by volunteers that also started the Food is Free, which is now managed by the Church. The garden group have a committee that meet as needed and run a roster for watering the plants not covered by the watering system. All food is available for everyone and anyone can visit any time and pick food and of course you are welcome to join the committee or come to the garden at the regular gardening times. There is three different composting systems, a hot compost, worm farms and sub pods. Community are welcome to talk to the group about using the sub pods.
Garden times: Usually 1st Tuesday of month 10.30 am to 12 and the 3rd Saturday, 10.30am to 12 unless it falls on a holiday weekend. Children welcome and there is a safe play space.
Find them on facebook
.
Why wait for the FOGO system (Food & Garden Organics) when the Healesville Community Garden at 95 River Street Healesville, have established a community compost hub for you to manage food waste and reduce land fill. To find out more go to the Healesville Community Garden facebook page and see the article on page 1 & 14 of the Mountain Views Star Mail. You can register to use the compost hub via https://bit.ly/HCG-CCH
Permaculture is a design system for sustainable living and land use based on some core ethics and a set of design principles.
Permaculture Yarra Valley (PYV) is a local not for profit group that has been promoting sustainability in the local region for many years. PYV is actively involved in spreading the word about permaculture to the community. They do this by offering a Permaculture Design Certificate course annually and also teaching people about the connection with food and sustainability. In September PYV celebrated 30 years at a wonderful event attended by over 80 locals and likeminded people. Read the Mountain Views Star mail article page 10 and find out more from their website and facebook page.
Peter is the president of PYV and an active member of our Yarra Ranges Food Connections working group. Read Peter’s story in the blog Peter and Food Connections.
With the prices of veggies increasing, the thought of growing your own produce might’ve crossed your mind. If this is something that interests you, you’re in luck! Open Gardens Victoria is holding a workshop with Craig Castree who is a qualified Horticulturist and author with over 45 years of experience in growing edible gardens in urban spaces. The workshop ‘Growing a Successful Edible Garden’ will take place online via zoom on Tuesday the 11th of October from 7:30 to 8:30pm.
Craig will be able to assist and guide you on the best approaches to building a successful organic edible garden, along with providing strategies to prevent weeds, pests, and plant diseases.
If you’re interested in attending this workshop or would like some more information, click on the following Link. If you would like to see more of what Craig does check out his YouTube channel.
Do you have a passion for gardening? Are you wanting to meet people in your local community with similar interests to you? Then a community garden group or garden workshops may be just for you!
Gardening groups are meeting monthly at Belgrave, Mooroolbark and Yarra Junction library to discuss all things gardening. These gardening groups provide an opportunity for locals to come together and share their gardening knowledge with each other. These groups also provide an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have in relation to gardening.
Some of these meetings will provide opportunity to share and swap your plants, produce, seeds and recipes with other locals.
Sounds like something you’re interested in. Check out the events at Eastern Regional Libraries or our events section to see when the next gardening workshop is near you.
We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, play and grow food. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.