Gardening made easy

It has been growing plants and produce, and arguably, more importantly, bringing people together since 2000 and the Old Mount Gambier Gaol Community Garden continues to blossom.

It was built on a simple philosophy – allowing those interested in gardening who did not have room for gardens of their own to garden and to provide a healthy activity for people, especially new arrivals to the community, to socialise.

It was also built on the original gaol kitchen garden.

Friends of the Garden member David McPherson said the garden, which is on O’Halloran Terrace, adjacent the Old Gaol, was open to anyone to join.

The garden currently boasts 48 plots, which are 10sqm, and has around 30 community members and would love to see more people get involved.

There is a six monthly ‘hire’ fee’ for a plot with appropriate tools and water supplied.

“Plot owners share their knowledge and learn from each other,” Mr McPherson said. “It enables gardeners to grow healthy vegetables of their own liking whilst saving money.”

The garden also features common areas including an orchard, herb garden, asparagus and strawberry patches as well as a plant shade house.

A substantial pergola area complete with BBQ and wood fired pizza oven was also available to members for social gatherings.

Community groups including WISE, Independent Learning Centre and United Communities utilise the garden and a recent addition to the facility is a disabled and access toilet. An orchard cover has also recently been added.

Mr McPherson said there were plenty of reasons to get involved in the garden, including saving some money during this well-publicised cost of living.

“Social interaction, healthy activity, self-development and making new friends are all benefits,” he said.

Mr McPherson also encouraged people to become part of the Friends of the Garden.

“This is an opportunity for people to utilise their skills doing maintenance and development around the garden,” he said. “If people have skills and knowledge with growing fruit trees or composting of green waste, their input would be invaluable.”

To continue the successful operation of the garden the current committee is seeking people from within the community who have a desire to support a local group.

You may not wish to grow vegetables but may just be interested in volunteering to work in other areas, such as administration, garden maintenance and development, orchard management or composting green waste, there is always an opportunity to join as a ‘Friend of the Garden’.

“We are always looking for new members whether they wish to garden or just help out,” David said.

If anyone would like more information regarding membership, please contact Friend of the Garden member David McPherson by emailing [email protected]

PHOTO BY FRANK MONGER