Inspiring food gardens in Bass Coast

VEGETABLE beds are being mulched and fruit trees are being pruned, as gardeners across Bass Coast get ready to welcome visitors to the first Bass Coast Edible Gardens event.

The Open Food Gardens weekend is being held on Saturday 19 and Sunday February 20, from 10-4pm each day.
Maddy Harford, Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL) chair believes that gardening is an activity that can bring together people from all backgrounds.

“Many gardening clubs and community gardens are thriving across Bass Coast, providing a feeling of belonging for people who might otherwise feel isolated,” she said.

“And when it includes growing your own food, there are the added benefits of saving money and the satisfaction feeding yourself and your family.

“BCAL wants to encourage more people to grow their own food, whether it be in their own or socialising with others in a community garden.”

An enthusiastic group of volunteers has spent six months organising the Bass Coast Edible Gardens weekend.
Fifteen diverse food gardens have agreed to open, with passionate gardeners ready to share their gardening tips and expertise with visitors.

The weekend will also include a Community Dinner on the Saturday evening, featuring locally grown produce.

The participating food gardens span the shire along the coast and into the hinterland.

They include a former dairy farm in Glen Forbes with many different types of fruit trees, a South Dudley cottage garden where foods and flowers flourish side by side, and BCAL’s own Wonthaggi Community Garden that features a children’s garden.

BCAL will follow up the weekend event with a range of gardening-focussed workshops over the coming months.

“We are encouraging visitors to book tickets online in advance, and view the stories and photos of the participating gardens, so they can get the most out of the weekend”, said Maddy.

“Tickets are $20 which covers all gardens, or $5 to visit individual gardens, with children under 16 free.”

To see the full list of participating gardens, download a garden visits map, book tickets for the gardens and the community dinner, go to www.basscoastediblegardens.com