WHITTLESEA Community Garden has been named as one of nine groups in the City of Whittlesea to share in $9000 worth of grants, using the money to construct a seed library for the Whittlesea community.
The garden partnered with Whittlesea Landcare and Whittlesea Library to apply for the Stockland CARE Grants, an initiative that has awarded more than $285,000 in grants to community groups, clubs and programs in 2021.
Whittlesea Community Garden received a grant from Stockland’s Mernda Retirement Village.
Whittlesea Community Garden facilitator Megan Smithwick said the installation of the seed library would help gardeners in the community.
“We want to create a thriving community of gardeners and seed savers and a culture of sharing,” she said.
“We encourage everyone to come and visit the garden and ‘take, grow, save and share’ with our new seed library.”
Constructed by the Whittlesea Men’s Shed, the seed library allows gardeners to ‘borrow’ seeds at planting time and then save seeds from the plants they grow and return a portion to the library.
It is hoped the library will encourage environmental sustainability and preserve seeds that grow well in the area.
“It is a wonderful addition to the Whittlesea Community Garden, which already offers garden beds for lease, shared garden beds, ornamental gardens, picnic areas and wide range of art to be enjoyed,” Ms Smithwick said.
“Our garden volunteers do amazing work and keep the garden looking great so that the whole community can enjoy it.”
Other groups to receive grants in the City of Whittlesea include the Whittlesea Men’s Shed, Doreen Baby Boomers Seniors Group and Doreen Combined Probus Club.
Whittlesea Community Garden is supported by Whittlesea Community House with new members always welcome and encouraged to visit.
The garden is open every Monday 8.30am to 11.30am, and Thursday 8.30am to 12.30pm.
For more information, people can call Whittlesea Community House on 9716 3361 or email communitygarden@whittleseach.com.au.
