|
New Gisborne Community Garden
New Gisborne Community Garden was established in 2014, on land owned by the Gisborne Church of Christ, by an enthusiastic team of like-minded people. The team had two major aims in mind for the garden, both centred around the ideal of "community":
Today, the team, the garden and the dream continue to grow.
To catch up on what's happening in the Garden, click here to visit our Facebook page.
- The garden was to be a place where local people could come together to grow fresh fruit and vegetables, learn about gardening, meet, chat and share some food and a cuppa or two.
- The garden was to be productive; to make available an over-abundance of food, which could be shared with people and families in the local community in need of support or encouragement.
Today, the team, the garden and the dream continue to grow.
To catch up on what's happening in the Garden, click here to visit our Facebook page.
the journey so far...
Work on the garden commenced in 2014, following redevelopment of the church building. Fences and raised beds were built, using salvaged timber from the old car park and church extension works. Soil was barrowed into the beds and mixed with composted horse manure and chicken litter, donated from friends. While much of this work was carried out by people from the church, we were grateful to be assisted also, by people on community correction orders, who really caught the vision and laboured willingly alongside us.
Our first major harvest, in autumn of 2015, saw a bumper crop of tomatoes, silver beet, spinach, eggplants, zucchinis, beetroot and more.
Grant funds have enabled us to build the structure of the garden. So, thanks to Western Water, Bendigo Bank, Macedon Ranges Shire and the Church, we have built the garden to the point where we need mainly only to maintain the garden and keep on applying manure and compost to the beds.
The development has included a no-dig garden, raised beds and an orchard of 30 fruit trees and 14 olives. Composted horse manure and mulch are continually being applied to the beds which has ensured continual bumper crops throughout the year. An irrigation system has been laid to distribute water around the garden. A rain water tank supplies our garden water so that even in water restriction times our garden continues thrive.
We have been blessed with some community people who have skills in seed saving and then planting out so that our outlay for seeds and seedlings are kept to a minimum. Funds raised by selling our garlic has enabled us to nearly self-sufficient.
Our orchard, although still immature has enabled us to enjoy fig, cultivated blackberry and apricot jam on our morning tea scones. We are anticipating an abundance of fruit for years to come.
Our garden community attracts people who are interested in gardening ranging from young mums with preschool children through to senior citizen whose contribution is limited to good advice and watering.
Our first major harvest, in autumn of 2015, saw a bumper crop of tomatoes, silver beet, spinach, eggplants, zucchinis, beetroot and more.
Grant funds have enabled us to build the structure of the garden. So, thanks to Western Water, Bendigo Bank, Macedon Ranges Shire and the Church, we have built the garden to the point where we need mainly only to maintain the garden and keep on applying manure and compost to the beds.
The development has included a no-dig garden, raised beds and an orchard of 30 fruit trees and 14 olives. Composted horse manure and mulch are continually being applied to the beds which has ensured continual bumper crops throughout the year. An irrigation system has been laid to distribute water around the garden. A rain water tank supplies our garden water so that even in water restriction times our garden continues thrive.
We have been blessed with some community people who have skills in seed saving and then planting out so that our outlay for seeds and seedlings are kept to a minimum. Funds raised by selling our garlic has enabled us to nearly self-sufficient.
Our orchard, although still immature has enabled us to enjoy fig, cultivated blackberry and apricot jam on our morning tea scones. We are anticipating an abundance of fruit for years to come.
Our garden community attracts people who are interested in gardening ranging from young mums with preschool children through to senior citizen whose contribution is limited to good advice and watering.
an abundance of food
Our aim has been to supply a variety of food each week to the Gisborne Food Bank. This has been achieved depending on the seasons. In addition, frozen meals are produced to support families in need . We support the Gisborne Food-bank and are one of their many partners. As our fruit trees start to bear, in future we will need to be initiating preserving methods so that our abundance is not wasted.
getting involved
Why get involved?
Becoming involved in community gardening has many benefits. It’s a great way to connect with your community and form new friendships. You can learn about growing fresh produce, decrease your food costs and be inspired to live on a more healthy diet. Gardening is also a great way to exercise, enjoy the outdoors and alleviate stress. There are opportunities to develop new skills, and participate in community celebrations.
How to get involved
Give us a call, send us an email, or just drop in. Our meeting time is on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am and finishing with morning tea at about 11.00am.
There is no formal structure—whoever turns up has the choice of several jobs and how much energy you put in is pretty much up to the individual. It’s noticeable that there is a happy, positive attitude which rubs off as people work together and it’s been great to welcome parents and their young children to the team recently. It may also be a quiet time to chat about life issues with another gardener. Morning tea is normally a time of lively debate.
Volunteers can come and go as they wish. There is no cost involved.
Becoming involved in community gardening has many benefits. It’s a great way to connect with your community and form new friendships. You can learn about growing fresh produce, decrease your food costs and be inspired to live on a more healthy diet. Gardening is also a great way to exercise, enjoy the outdoors and alleviate stress. There are opportunities to develop new skills, and participate in community celebrations.
How to get involved
Give us a call, send us an email, or just drop in. Our meeting time is on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am and finishing with morning tea at about 11.00am.
There is no formal structure—whoever turns up has the choice of several jobs and how much energy you put in is pretty much up to the individual. It’s noticeable that there is a happy, positive attitude which rubs off as people work together and it’s been great to welcome parents and their young children to the team recently. It may also be a quiet time to chat about life issues with another gardener. Morning tea is normally a time of lively debate.
Volunteers can come and go as they wish. There is no cost involved.
How to Find Us
New Gisborne Community Garden is located at 31 Saunders Road, New Gisborne, next door to the Church of Christ.
The team can normally be found pottering around the garden from 9.30am on Wednesday mornings, but you can often bump into a member in the garden on other days.
Contacts:
Gisborne Church of Christ: 5428 4213
Find us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/newgisbornecommunitygarden
The team can normally be found pottering around the garden from 9.30am on Wednesday mornings, but you can often bump into a member in the garden on other days.
Contacts:
Gisborne Church of Christ: 5428 4213
Find us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/newgisbornecommunitygarden