Ipswich Community Kitchen Garden

Discussion in 'Members' Systems' started by Cobby, Oct 24, 2011.

  1. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    View attachment 1265
    This was in February this year, only a few weeks after the floods that come 1/2 way up the very TOP bed!!! We had only just really got a group of keen gardeners together - the original gardens beds had been started and tended for a few months by just one bloke!
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    By April we were beginning to modify the garden in attempt to get away from the treated pine (ugh!) beds which were nearly impossible to reach into the middle of!
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    By May we had been told by Council that unless we paid $6K for a 'Land Use Assessment' (with no guarantee of permission) we could not use all the space for a Community Garden! (Way to go, Ipswich, how on earth did we get Australia's Greenest City Award??)
    One of our members found a loophole in the rules which said that anyone could have a 'Kitchen Garden' max size 25 sq. metres! After much debate (and no little disgust!) we decided to scale down to a mandala-style garden. We've taken liberties with fruit trees as they are not veggies!
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    By June we had a sculpture/sprinkler build into the middle of the garden - plumbed into the 2 x 20,000ltr tanks on the side of the community centre, and the garden is producing more than the 6 to 7 families that come and work on it once a week can eat! I'll add some new pics soon!
    Adie
    P.S Click on pics for larger version.
     

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  2. mischief

    mischief Senior Member

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    Looks absolutely fantastic, way to go!!!
     
  3. annette

    annette Junior Member

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    well done Cobby. It looks fabulous. good on you.
     
  4. Don Hansford

    Don Hansford Junior Member

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    Looks great, Cobby - I'll let you know when we're passing though :)
     
  5. xelly

    xelly Junior Member

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    Hi Cobby! I've not long moved to Ipswich and renovating our little home. my little veggie garden has copped alot with too much sun I think - not done so well! hoping to get some advice so I can build a great patch of our own :) any recommendations or is it possible to visit the community garden for ideas/inspiration?
    ATM the one thing I feel I MUST grow is rhubarb to help my daughters mozzie bites!
     
  6. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    Gudday Xelly!
    How exciting - a new home and garden! Which suburb are you in? We've got a massive move coming (IF the finances come through) from 33 acres breeding horses to a 1/4 acre block with wee little house in One Mile, Ipswich. So all going well we'll be on the same path!
    You are more than welcome to come out to the Kitchen Garden, we meet on Fridays anytime from 1pm to 3pm, depending on the weather! If it's stinkin' we gererally meet in the Centre at 3pm. If it's pleasant (and not too wet) we come between 1-2:30pm.


     
  7. xelly

    xelly Junior Member

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    hopefully I can come check it out on Friday! I'm in East Ipswich so not far from one mile! we have been here about 6mths now - focusing on renovating inside and now really keen on a veggie garden to help our diet/reduce costs/just feel better in general with environment/health etc! I am excited about it but also overwhelmed lol!
     
  8. Pakanohida

    Pakanohida Junior Member

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    Looks beautiful, well done!! :D
     
  9. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    That great!
    I'll be there by 1:30pm if you want to come over then.
    Adie


     
  10. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    Thanks Pakanohida - it's been a real team effort AND a labour of love! I must get some more pics...

     
  11. xelly

    xelly Junior Member

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    anyone able to tell me if this is at collingwood park or leichhardt? thanks :)
     
  12. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    Leichhardt Xelly.
     
  13. xelly

    xelly Junior Member

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    awesome thanks Cobby! hopefully will see you!
     
  14. xelly

    xelly Junior Member

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    Have PM'd you Cobby - I think I need the street name too >.< google is not being my friend right now lol
     
  15. Finchj

    Finchj Junior Member

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    25 sq meters is all anyone is allowed to tend as a kitchen garden? That's crazy talk.

    The garden looks good, love the fruit trees.

    Anyway, I was wondering why you all chose to have a sprinkler system/fountain. I've always read that one should avoid watering the entire plant and should direct the water to the soil in order to help avoid fungal problems. I guess there is enough airflow that it isn't an issue?
     
  16. SarahEdgecumbe

    SarahEdgecumbe Junior Member

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    Wow,

    Just found that there is a Community garden here in Ipswich. Just connected to the Facebook Page. We moved to Ipswich last year.

    CRAZY about the 25 sq meters. That's rubbish.

    If i am not working i might have to pop down :)

    Nice to see projects like this.

    Sarah
     
  17. labradel

    labradel Junior Member

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    would the 25 sq m garden area be per person if so then seperate but close gardens each might be an idea , and the rain wets all the plant ,around here this is useful to wash the dust off the leaves
     
  18. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    Gudday Sarah,
    We'd love you to pop in for a visit! We'll be there today for a few hours - if you can't find us at the garden, check the community centre!

    Labradel,
    I didn't go to the council myself, but my understanding was that the 25sq m was for the land, not per person.
    Adie
     
  19. Cobby

    Cobby Junior Member

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    Gudday Finchj,
    Sorry, just saw your question! I agree with you, and to tell the truth we rarely use the top sprinkler. There is a tap on the way up to it, and we attach a hose there and hand water (mostly at root level) when needed. Which is rarely, lately!
    Adie
     
  20. SarahEdgecumbe

    SarahEdgecumbe Junior Member

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    Hi there,

    Sorry i was working today. The joys of working. Hopefully i will be able to come on a day when i am not working.
    Looking forward to it.

    At least the rain today has filled my water tanks...

    Sarah
     

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