Community Gardening

As well as growing vegetables, we are growing a community - Dan Deighton, local permaculture designer

PCYC%20garden%20Sept%2005.jpgIt was at our local community garden at the North Wollongong PCYC, where we first started to learn about sustainable organic gardening. It’s where we first experienced how powerful food gardens are for healing and empowering people, building community, and bring life back to the land. It’s also a place where we have met wonderful people and made fantastic friends. We even met each other under the mulberry tree!
From bare grass and asphalt in 1999, ‘The Garden’ at the North Wollongong PCYC has flourished into a spectacular permaculture food forest. Packed into about 1,000 square metres is an abundance of fruit trees, veggie beds, ponds, arts, mosaics, and a funky chicken house. There’s even a wood fired outdoor pizza oven on the way!

An enthusiastic group looks after and creates this amazing place. Interested people are always welcome to get involved and come along to a working bee. Working bees are usually on the first Sunday of each month, but this can change depending on people’s availability. For more info see http://nswcommunities.org.au/thegarden.html or call Aaron Sorenson on 0424 241 881. Amazing transformations are also happening at Port Kembla, with a group bringing a laneway to life with permaculture gardens.

Welcome%20PCYC%20Garden%20March%2007.jpgAll suburbs need community gardens. They’re popping up everywhere as people increasingly realise their value and importance in sustainable living and healthy communities. If you’re keen to start your own community garden, we’d suggest first chatting with people at nearby community gardens and seeing if anyone at your local council has any guidance or advice.

For inspiration on community gardening, see:

http://nswcommunities.org.au/thegarden.html

http://www.communitygarden.org.au

http://www.northeystreetcityfarm.org.au

http://www.ceres.org.au

http://cultivatingcommunity.org.au