Diggers Club member Hannah is one of the green thumbs growing vegies in a plot at the Willsmere Station Community Garden, which first opened in 2019. Built by the City of Boroondara for local residents, the garden houses 50 individual plots rented out by members, plus a communal food forest. Community is not just in the name of this garden, but integral to the project’s purpose.
“Sometimes I’ll have the space to myself to enjoy some quiet time, but the garden is at its best on weekends or blue-sky days when there is a hive of activity. It’s really nice to learn from other members and soak up their knowledge,” says Hannah.
The garden’s thriving community is anchored by regular crop swap events. Held on the second Saturday of each month, these events invite members and non-members alike to share their produce.
“It’s called a crop swap, but people bring a range of different things,” explains Hannah. “Lorene’s sourdough is always highly coveted.
“It’s a really incredible event to swap seeds and different things that people love to make, but also to leave with an abundant collection of fresh goodies, knowing you won’t have to go out and buy those things from a supermarket.”
The community garden has given Hannah access to a larger space for the first time in her adult life. In her apartment, she grows smaller plants like herbs or potted pansies, but an outdoor plot broadens her options.
“It’s really exciting to be able to grow new things like garlic or bigger varieties of flowers,” says Hannah. “Ranunculus are my favourite. When the flowers come through, they provide such a great pop of colour.”
Growing up in far north Queensland, Hannah was in the garden from an early age, tending to her family’s vegie patch and learning from her parents. In 2022, she moved to Melbourne, which presented new horticultural challenges.
“It’s been a big learning curve,” admits Hannah. “Completely different plants thrive here and at a different pace. Especially in winter, plants often grow much more slowly than in Queensland, so I’ve had to be patient.”
The move south has brought opportunities, too. “I was so excited because I love flowers, and now I can grow beautiful temperate varieties like ranunculus and tulips.”
A passion for flowers first brought Hannah to The Diggers Club, after friends invited her to explore its gardens.
“The Garden of St Erth was the first one I heard about, especially their beautiful flower plantings,” remembers Hannah. “I’ve been to all three gardens now – it’s like a collector’s item!”
As she turns her attention to spring and summer, she’s already picked out her plot’s next star. “I’m excited to plant some pumpkins. I haven’t had a crack at them yet, but last summer I was inspired by the beautiful ‘Potimarron’ pumpkins that other members of the garden grew. That’s going to be my new plant this spring and summer.”