All photos: Sharon Willcox By Harry Freeman
WHETHER you’re a seasoned gardener or flexing your green thumb for the first time, the Bass Coast Edible Gardens weekend on February 10 and 11 is a great opportunity to learn more.
For the third year in a row, gardens around the shire will be open for visitors, from Ventnor to Inverloch, Coronet Bay to Cape Woolamai. The gardens’ proud owners will be on hand to share their wisdom, ideas, and expertise with anyone who wants to know more.
WHETHER you’re a seasoned gardener or flexing your green thumb for the first time, the Bass Coast Edible Gardens weekend on February 10 and 11 is a great opportunity to learn more.
For the third year in a row, gardens around the shire will be open for visitors, from Ventnor to Inverloch, Coronet Bay to Cape Woolamai. The gardens’ proud owners will be on hand to share their wisdom, ideas, and expertise with anyone who wants to know more.
Organisers, Sharon, Mary, and Maddy have once again organised an intriguing mixture of gardens: many are old favourites but seven are involved for the first time. They range across a variety of sizes, settings, and approaches, from one-person establishments to community gardens that rely on the input of a number of members; and from some not much bigger than a courtyard through suburban blocks to those on a few acres.
To whet your appetite, here is some detail about just three of the 17 gardens:
To whet your appetite, here is some detail about just three of the 17 gardens:
Susan and Bill are first-time participants, but they have plenty to show after 15 years of hard work on their property in Glen Alvie, from vegetable gardens that need extra protection from a variety of animals that like to share their produce to an extensive orchard featuring many espaliered trees.
Paula and Steve’s 3-acre property in Inverloch is a charming combination of community space and productive garden. Steve has created the much-loved Bookhouse and Fairy Garden, which is open to the public from the walking paths at the back of their property. Paula has the main responsibility for the extensive productive garden which provides at least 90 per cent of the vegies and fruit they consume throughout the year.
The Chill House Mini Farm in Cowes is described by its owner, Paul, as “an urban permaculture experience with some ‘bad bees’”. The bees make honey which Paul sells and also uses to produce flavoured meads. In addition, he is responsible for the food gardens, which range over the whole of the front yard, the nature strip and along the north-facing garden beds and pots in this very sunny property.
Visit www.basscoastediblegardens.com for a map and directions for visiting each garden plus a detailed description of what is on show at each venue. You can purchase your tickets online or at each location. With a single visit ticket costing $5 (cash only) and $25 buying an open ticket to visit as many gardens as you can like over the two-day event it has to be one of the bargains of the year.
Wonthaggi ArtSpace is running an Edible Gardens Exhibition in conjunction with the Open Gardens event, showcasing “a cornucopia of creative, quirky, visual responses to the art of growing food”. The gallery is at 1 Bent St, (opposite Aldi’s), till Sunday March 3. The official opening is on Sunday February 4, 1-3pm. All are welcome.
Finally, a word for the sponsors! The organisers wish to thank Bass Coast Shire Council, Westernport Water, and Bunnings for their generous support of this event.
Wonthaggi ArtSpace is running an Edible Gardens Exhibition in conjunction with the Open Gardens event, showcasing “a cornucopia of creative, quirky, visual responses to the art of growing food”. The gallery is at 1 Bent St, (opposite Aldi’s), till Sunday March 3. The official opening is on Sunday February 4, 1-3pm. All are welcome.
Finally, a word for the sponsors! The organisers wish to thank Bass Coast Shire Council, Westernport Water, and Bunnings for their generous support of this event.