Dave Saddler and Judy Nicholson share the story of Corowa Community Garden.
Judy Nicholson loves nothing more than sitting among the gardens at Corowa Community Garden, sharing fond memories of its evolution over a cup of tea with anyone who comes through.
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“We’ve always grown our own seedlings here; and we recycle as much as possible to save money and help the environment,” she said.
“During construction we had a group of girls who would gather here on Tuesdays to put together the mosaic under the flagpole.
“And disabled people would come and visit with their carers; they just loved spending time in the gardens and learning about growing veggies.”
It’s a robust and varied group that meets each Tuesday and Thursday morning to tend to the gardens and keep the produce flowing.
A cuppa is had at 10am, and then it’s time to get the hands dirty.
Jim Ayres pruning the berries.
Corowa Community Garden has been planting the seeds and cultivating the ideal of community involvement for more than 10 years, promoting a sense of togetherness and healthier living within the Corowa community.
Originally founded by Joan Palmer and Rob Davis, construction began in 2013 on top of the old bitumen tennis courts next to the Uniting Church on Queen Street in Corowa.
The garden’s layout was professionally designed, and the first crops were planted in late 2014.
With help from Men’s Shed and Lions Club members, the container shed and verandah, the glasshouse, which was donated by John Patterson, the rotunda and wicking beds were installed over the next two years.
Judy Nicholson, Deb Harrison, Cynie Healey, Ann Bumbers and Dave Saddler around the garden’s mosaic.
Judy and long-time member, Dave Saddler said work to the gardens had been ongoing to improve and maintain the original concept, with things added over the years, such as the wicking beds and the chook sheds, which are particularly popular.
Dave has been anointed by the ladies as the resident garden scientist and oversees the planting schedule across the changing seasons.
“We are currently going through our winter to spring changeover,” he said.
“Right now, we’re removing all of the spent winter crops, and then we’ll get the gardens ready for the softer veggies that don’t tolerate the frost so well, such as zucchinis and tomatoes.”
Anyone is welcome to pick from the gardens for a small donation, and each spring they hold a plant sale with all proceeds going towards upkeep and improvements.
From humble beginnings the community gardens are now a thriving and vibrant community, working towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.
If you’d like to join in, just turn up any Tuesday or Thursday morning at 10am.
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