Community gardens – places of meeting, socializing, sharing ideas and produce, growing your own, learning about the earth, health, nature and humanity – have been a part of life since the beginning of human existence on Earth. Community gardens bring people together, and most often these people are from diverse backgrounds with differing reasons for joining and contributing to their community garden.

For families new to Australia, perhaps from migrant or refugee backgrounds, it can be source of food and socializing. For others, it can be a way to give to their community, in labour, ideas or teaching. And for some, it’s just a great way to get some sun, their hands dirty and meet new people. This is certainly the case in Brisbane, where some very well-established community gardens have been providing all these things to so many people for many years, and the popularity is growing.

Brisbane’s well-known Jane Street Community Garden, in West End, is one such amazing place. A hive of food and friendship, it was under water in the recent Brisbane floods and suffered a lot of damage. Over 100 volunteers, however, showed up on the Saturday immediately after the flood to rebuild the vege gardens, clean up the pathways, rescue many plants, trees and worm farms, and all made a big difference to restoring the venue.

Brisbane now has 35 community gardens, many established in recent years, showing a demand and interest in such ventures. Some of these are located in schools, aged facilities, church grounds and local parks. Community gardens brings together people from all age, cultural, racial and socio-economic backgrounds, and help people, especially children, understand where food comes from and the value of good earth care and fresh produce. It’s a great feeling, and often a source of wonder, for people to watch food grow from seed to seedling to edible food. And of course, these gardens are always organic.

Community gardens are usually founded by community groups or even just interested neighbourhoods wanting to get something good started locally. Many become auspiced by community organizations, to cover things like insurance, advertising and funding. But the true grit of these gardens is from volunteers. Some gardens even serve as teaching centres for horticultural courses, such as at Northey Street City Farm and it’s amazing permaculture courses. Average prices for volunteers to rent garden space to grow their own food are around $10 per square metre. All funds go directly back into the community gardens.

The Qld Conservation Council’s “Grow Local” campaign is now promoting community gardens actively, hoping more people will learn how to grow their own food and increase earth care awareness at community gardens. There are many benefits to joining and contributing to community gardens. The positive impact on the community, people’s health and wellbeing, and the influence on earth care are all values that should never be overlooked.

To find a community garden near you in Qld or more info, visit www.grow-local.com.au/grow-local/community-gardens