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A feast for all the senses

30/1/2025

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PictureBeautiful pairing of flowers and produce at Liz's garden at Smiths Beach.
By Sharon Willcox

SIXTEEN inspiring food gardens across the width and breadth of Bass Coast will open their gates on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February for the fourth annual Bass Coast Edible Gardens Weekend.  

This major fund-raiser for Bass Coast Adult Learning aims to encourage people to grow their own food, with the benefits of low food miles, cheaper and healthier home-grown food, improved physical and mental health, and enhanced community connections.

​Diversity in how and where people grow food is what keeps visitors coming back each year. 

For 2025 gardens have been grouped under themes to help visitors plan their weekend itinerary, including verge gardens, indigenous edibles, accessible gardens, edible gardens featuring flowers and native plants and gardens with cheerful chickens. ​

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Colourful chickens at Jon and Robyn's
West Creek farm
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Cynthia and Andrew's productive verge garden in Kilcunda featuring nuts and fruit trees
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Fresh produce for sale at Rachel and Rob's permaculture paradise in Wonthaggi
There are also gardens where you can learn about the medicinal benefits of some plants, while other gardens showcase unusual edibles such as the Irish strawberry tree and edible fuschias that produce berries.

It’s the community involvement that really brings this event to life.  First on the part of the gardeners who generously open their gardens, but also on the part of about 60 volunteers who will welcome visitors to the gardens during the weekend, while other volunteers help to erect signs around the shire. 

In addition to a community grant from the Bass Coast Shire Council, local businesses, including Bunnings, Townsend Nursery, Wonthaggi Garden Supplies and The Country Gardener, are financially supporting the event.  ArtSpace Wonthaggi’s complementary art exhibition on edible gardens has its opening launch on Sunday 2 February from 1-3pm. 

The Edible Gardens event has always featured community gardens, with Bass Coast fortunate to be the home of at least eight community gardens that support people in growing food.  In 2025 the PICAL community garden will be opening in its new Settlement Road location in Cowes. 

Two different types of community gardens are also participating this year.  In Wonthaggi the cottage garden at the State Coal Mine is the work of a small, but dedicated, group of volunteers. 

The Inverloch Coast Care Community is a garden that nourishes aged care residents, highlighting that you are never too young nor too old to enjoy the benefits of gardening.

Ticket prices remain the same as previous years at $25 for a weekend pass to visit all 16 gardens, or $5 to visit individual gardens, with entry free for children under 16 years. 

Get in early and buy your tickets online at. www.basscoastediblegardens.com.  Over the weekend, you can buy tickets at the gardens using cash only.  Visitors are asked to leave their furry friends at home to ensure a safe and relaxing environment for everyone.
​
Sharon Willcox is a member of the Bass Coast Edible Gardens organising team.
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