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The Gardens are a continuous communal work-in-progress with the intention of the system being to sustainably produce a proportion of the herbs, fruits, vegetables, and enjoyment for Digger St residents. Residents and current coordinator, Hilary Wilson, have utilized their knowledge and skills to transform the Gardens into a fruitful and organized environment. Since her arrival in October, 2009, most of Hilary’s input has been through reorganizing the grounds design and maintenance regime. The main Kitchen Garden consists of herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables in eight numbered zones where the plants are clearly marked with names and planting dates. Each section is set up utilizing principles of companion planting/agroecology, permaculture, and crop diversity and rotation to cultivate plants that will grow well together in the space and sunlight provided.
In addition to the Kitchen Garden, four raised garden beds constructed of reused corrugated iron are located in the south side of the Kitchen Garden along with a shade house for seedlings and a series of compost bins. The first two raised beds are filled with a green waste base and imported topsoil mix containing gypsum, blood and bone, and organic manure and fertilizers.
The integration of raised beds into our gardening system is to provide diverse options for the people and plants involved. Plants that require extra drainage and people who have mobility and physical limitations (i.e. back, neck, and leg complications) will find these systems much easier to grow with. Shade cloth and netting can be attached to the support structures of the beds in the need of extra protection from pests and the hot summer sun.
Future plans for the Garden include developing an orchard for tropical fruit trees and vines as well as creating more in-ground beds for community workshops and allotments.
The Interactive Garden Board is on the veranda of 346 now. We can all keep track of what is growing and organize how we want to alter and expand the gardens and composting systems.
There are a few reference books, including Bill Mollison's Permaculture guide, in the ground-level gallery of 346 and many many magazines on the veranda of 105.
Please do not remove these sources from their areas until we develop a lending system!
Pots and a mixed soil medium are available under 344 for anyone who wants to plant seeds, transplants, or cuttings.
Please label your work with a recognizable common or scientific plant name and date. There is room in the Shadehouse for a nursery.
Thank you to everyone who is putting maintenance energy and plants into the gardens!
Solidarity and Love...
