Mort Bay Community Garden is 100% volunteer-run and new members are always welcome!
Raised beds are communal, meaning members can work on any of the beds and get to share all of the produce that is grown.
Members have lots of ways to get involved, from getting hands dirty at our regular working bees and helping out with day-to-day care of the garden to the planning and organisation of our activities at our Garden Talks.
Working bees
Working bees provide a chance to get your hands dirty, have a yarn with fellow gardeners over the raised beds and take home produce. They are usually held on the second Saturday or Sunday of the month, starting between 8am and 9am depending on the season – check our calendar, or contact us for details. Bees usually run till 11am, and we usually share a plate and a cuppa after in the picnic area. Members are welcome to come early or late, and for as little or as long as they like.
Garden Gatherings
Once a month we’re planning to get together in the garden to get social, share a little knowledge, lend a hand, have a chat or do little projects.
Unlike a working bee where we cultivate our crops, we can organise a variety of activities plus time to socialise and enjoy the garden.
Activities will include: GARDEN KNOW-HOW: sharing seasonal tips, demos with Q&As, SPECIAL PROJECTS: planning and prep for events and little improvements – insect hotels anyone?
SOCIAL EVENTS: garden picnics, sharing dishes and recipes from our produce …
See our garden calendar for Garden Gatherings.
Frequently asked questions:
I am not a member – can I take veggies from the garden?
We respectfully request that non-members do not harvest produce from Mort Bay Community Garden. If you would like to benefit from the work of our members, please join up. This way, you get all the benefits of being involved in a community garden and, as our modest membership fees are our only ongoing income, you are also helping us keep Mort Bay Community Garden running: it’s a win-win!
I am a member – can I take veggies from the garden?
Paid-up members are welcome to take sensible amounts of produce from the garden. Whole vegetables that take longer to grow, for example zucchini or kohlrabi, are typically harvested monthly at the working bees to share among the members. Faster growing produce, such as greens like kale or endive where individual leaves can be picked, can be harvested by individuals between the bees. If you are not sure, just ask!
Code of conduct for members and visitors
- All gardeners should treat each other with respect, in keeping with the philosophy of Mort Bay Community Garden.
- Gardeners must keep their membership up to date. You are not insured otherwise.
- Please take care of the native plants surrounding the vegetable beds.
- All gardeners are to observe basic gardening safety principles whilst in the garden.
- Members only are entitled to harvest modest amounts of vegetables for personal use.
- No noxious chemicals are to be used and organic gardening principles are to be followed.
- Children are strongly encouraged to be involved in the garden, but must be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Dog owners, please keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them.