Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
THE Mount Gambier Community Garden continues to flourish, with all plots currently booked by eager growers.
Last year, the gardening hotspot received a $3000 grant from Australia’s Open Garden SA scheme to upgrade its fruit orchard netting, a project which continues to progress.
Garden secretary David McPherson said previously each fruit tree was netted individually, but the technique had since become impossible due to expense and tree growth.
Mr McPherson said the single-tree netting would be replaced with commercial orchard netting at the site – located behind the Old Mount Gambier Gaol – to improve fruit yields.
“We have always had a problem with birds picking at the fruit which was only able to be managed with netting each tree individually,” he said.
“The trees have now grown too big and it was becoming impossible to do, so we have looked at ways we could implement netting the whole orchard.
“We did some investigation, searched what worked well through commercial orchards and found out what we needed.”
Mr McPherson said the funding came at a great time and allowed the concept to progress.
“So far, we have erected the steel posts for the netting and have investigated quotes to finalise the netting,” he said.
“We were going to try complete it now, but with the situation we are in, we are unsure when we will be able to begin and have had to put it on hold.”
Mr McPherson hopes the extra produce can eventually be distributed through organisations such as FoodBank Mount Gambier and Sunset Community Kitchen.
The garden recently had an influx of new members and Mr McPherson confirmed all of the 43 available plots were occupied by 24 garden members.
Membership coordinator Gael Ford said from all walks of life were involved.
“We still continue to grow in membership diversity with couples, retirees, people of different ethnic backgrounds and not-for-profit organisations a part of the garden,” she said.
“Everyone is very friendly with one another and seem to share vegetables and produce whenever they can.
“We still have our raised beds for people with physically restrictions too, so there are options for everybody.”
Ms Ford said the garden would be a great place for people to explore if they need a break from home.
“It is a great place to come as long as people adhere to guidelines and are doing the right thing,” she said.
“People put a lot of work into growing their own plots filled with produce and plants.
“It is a hidden space, but I guess in a way that is what makes it as peaceful as it is.”
Mr McPherson said the community space brought several positives to the Limestone Coast.
“It gets people out in the open air while eating fresh, home grown produce,” Mr McPherson said.
“Some people who may not have the room or not know a lot about growing produce can join and learn off others.
“It is good to see and the more people who are able to use it, the better it is.”
Mr McPherson said once the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were cleared, it was planned to expand the garden’s social aspects.
“We want to host more events and open days and get the word out there that we are here,” he said.
Contact the garden at mtggarden@gmail.com for more information.
