Join a community garden - Jun 30, 2011
My wife often takes my boys down to the community garden in Camden. This garden was set up about 12 months ago on the town farm property that was bequeathed to Camden Council by Miss Llewella Davies. The farm is in 40 Exeter st, just below Camden Primary School.
Keen gardeners can rent a raised garden bed for an annual fee and grow their own flowers or vegetables. Their is also a shared garden where you can plant excess vegetables and herbs that everyone who joins the community garden can use.
I have a large vegetable garden at home but what the boys love about the community garden is they can ask all the gardeners what they are growing. The community gardeners share information about what to plant in the different seasons. Good gardeners are able to help the less experienced novices and great friendships are formed.
The gardens look neat and tidy and if you don't use it you loose it and someone new gets your garden. This policy ensures that gardens aren't left to grow weeds.
The Camden Community Garden holds a working bee once a month to take on new construction work and general maintenance. This is a community event that allows all the gardeners to get to know each other over morning tea.
If you are interested in starting a community garden in your suburb visit Camden's Garden first to get ideas that you can take to your local council. It will save you time because this model is a success.
Tim Pickles is a CNP horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.