Garden space to open for all

LOCAL green thumb and Urban Food Garden blog founder John Ditchburn is set to open his Soldiers Hill space this weekend.

Taking place at 104 Crompton Street on Sunday 10 December from 9am until 1pm, Mr Ditchburn will walk attendees through his food garden tailored specifically for Ballarat’s conditions.

Based on an 1100-metre square plot, his garden features a large vegetable patch, berry bushes, about 20 fruit trees, a chicken run, seeding propagation and two greenhouses.

Mr Ditchburn will be on hand to answer any questions and to talk food gardening in general.

He’s been opening his garden up to the public since January following a two-year hiatus, and previously used the space to host gardening design, and seed and vegetable-growing workshops.

Mr Ditchburn has been running the Urban Food Garden blog for 16 years and was a founding member of the Ballarat Community Garden.

Funds from the event will be used to maintain the Urban Food Garden website which is aimed at providing tips and information on how to maintain produce in a Ballarat climate and entry is $5.