How a community garden can keep your green thumb alive

Downsizing to a smaller place, or moving into a unit complex or community living doesn’t mean you have to give up a passion for gardening. Even if you are finding you can’t handle the hard work of a large garden there is still a way you can keep the colour in your green thumb.

Melissa Smrecnik, the co-ordinator for the Jane Street Community Garden in Brisbane said there were community gardens everywhere around Australia, and even around the world, so why not look up the one closest to you.

She explained just how a community garden works. The gardens are often situated on public land and are often seen as an innovative way to grow food in areas where housing is not suitable to do so. As well as a great use of vacant land community gardens are also a great way to meet likeminded people and feel like you are contributing to the community.

Some community gardens have individual plots you can rent for a small fee. They are then your responsibility, just like it was your very own garden. You maintain it yourself and what you grow is yours. 

Other sections of the garden are normally allocated to the community, and maintained through working bees. The items grown within this part of the garden are often shared with those that contribute; and sometimes to the extended community. “It does create more of a sense of community, to give back,” Melissa said.

Read more: How to make your own compost. 

In her community garden Melissa said people are able to get involved in a variety of activities, from working in the nursery, to planting, seed sowing, or working with the compost, worm farm or bee hive. They are also currently building a chicken coop. “You can be any age or ability; we will find a job that suits you.”

With so many experienced gardeners from all walks of life embracing community gardens, it’s also a great way of learning from those who know, and Melissa said there was a huge emphasis on education. “There is a lot of information being exchanged that you probably couldn’t read in a book.”

Is there a community garden in your area?