REGULAR tending by a diligent group of workers has seen the Casterton Community Garden flourish in recent months.

An abundance of salad ingredients and vegetables perfect for the cooking pot have popped up and everyone is encouraged to help themselves to the ongoing smorgasbord of produce available.

“Community members are reminded that produce is there to be utilised by those who wish to make use of it; there is no obligation to have contributed to its inception or upkeep in any way,” regular gardener, Suzanne Kelly said.

“Of course, if you have spare seedlings feel free to bring them along to the monthly ‘working bees’, to which everyone is most welcome.”

Interested community members are also being sought to join the watering roster, with vacancies for helpers on Fridays and Saturdays.

“With the watering system in place and an extra-long hose, watering the community garden is not an arduous task and will take only a small time commitment each week,” Mrs Kelly said.

 Members of Casterton Primary School’s Hands on Learning program visited the garden on Friday to see what vegetables they could procure to contribute to their lunch that day.

As part of the program, small groups of students take turns in planning and preparing lunch for the whole group each Friday.  

The students have also been busy preparing and tending the school’s garden and wicking beds so they will have some fresh produce on hand – but having the community garden within a short walking distance (and the supermarket as a fallback option) is very handy until such time as their own plants start producing. 

 “A lovely start to week three in Hands on Learning as we visited the community garden,” student Chloe Kurzman said.

“We all tried the cherry tomatoes and Old Man Saltbush. 

“We talked with the garden representative, Renee Killey, over the plan for the community garden. 

“And we will be working with the Rotary club on a special project, in the future.”

The next Community Garden working bee will be held this Saturday, 19 March from 10am and the whole community is encouraged to head down to the site at the bottom of Murray Street to help with weeding, watering and new planting, or just enjoy the site.