Growing produce from the backyard

THE Wilsons have been growing their own vegetables, including the unique ‘Trombone Zucchini’, for around 10 years in the region. Pictured is keen gardener, Trevor Wilson, Hamilton, holding one of his proud produces. Photo: SUPPLIED.

By Admin

March 14, 2024 | 4:00 PM

JILL and Trevor Wilson have proved to locals that anyone is capable of growing their own produce from scratch in Hamilton, after starting their self-grown vegetable journey 10 years ago.

Mr and Mrs Wilson have lived in Hamilton for 40 years and have a special interest in growing and sharing their own unique vegetables for themselves and their family, including the ‘Trombone Zucchini’ picked from their garden last week.

“We didn’t think it was special, we put $5 on (the zucchini), thought if someone wanted it at the senior citizens club - they’ve got a tin there for the cancer appeal, but nobody bought it home, so we brought it here,” Mrs Wilson told The Spectator.

Mrs Wilson said their interest in growing vegetables began when they visited the Stephanie Alexander Garden in West Footscray, as their daughter had been involved in the garden, which sparked the idea to start sourcing seeds and grow their own veggie patch.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2004, that teaches children and young people about eating and growing fresh, seasonal, delicious food so they form positive food habits for life.

The foundation supports early childhood services, primary schools, and secondary schools across Australia, with a growing community, to raise awareness of the increasing childhood obesity problem in Australia.

“It’s really great what they do, they get the kids involved, and they just love it,” Mrs Wilson said.

“We first saw the ‘Trombone Zucchinis’ at (the garden), and helped the mothers there make fritters out of them for 600 children.”

For the past 10 years, Mr Wilson has been sourcing seeds from across Victoria to grow their own unique vegetables, which has served as both an interesting and rewarding hobby.

Mrs Wilson said that these types of vegetables growing in their backyard still are, a decade later, just as exciting to discover for Mr Wilson and herself, with the best part being able to enjoy their self-grown produce amongst friends, family, and themselves.