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Joining a Community Garden

Community gardens are shared plots of land where people come together to grow food. Becoming a member is a great way to meet people, learn new gardening skills and share in the produce that’s grown. They allow you to enjoy the outdoors, get involved in the local community and are perfect for people short of space but would like to grow their own food. There are numerous community gardens found throughout the Illawarra, open for anyone to join.

Keen to start your own community garden? Reach out to Wollongong City Council to request a meeting or phone call about your garden idea. If you don't hear back, you can find contact information for individual councillors to follow-up with and seek assistance on advocating for a community garden. 

Local community gardens

IN THE ILLAWARRA

Green House Park Community Garden

The Greenhouse Park Community Garden was established in 2013 to educate volunteers on growing their own food.

Wollongong & Surrounds

Dapto Community farm

Dapto Community Farm is a certified organic farm renting plots to commercial and community gardeners.

Shellharbour & Surrounds

Barrack Heights Community Garden

Established in 2008 the Barrack Heights Community Garden has a rich history of volunteers, projects, cooking and an abundance of produce from small orchards, citrus trees and bush tucker bushes.

Shellharbour & Surrounds

St Marks Anglican Church

Food & Friends afternoon tea, community dinner and grocery items on Mondays 3:00pm – 5:00pm.

Wollongong & Surrounds

Thirroul Community Garden

The Thirroul Community Gardeners work together to maintain their community garden using permaculture design principles: earth care, people care and fair share.

Wollongong & Surrounds

Bulli Community Garden

Bulli Community garden is open to anyone who is keen to get their hands dirty!

Wollongong & Surrounds

Tullimbar Community Garden

Tullimbar Village residents first started moving into the new houses during 2008 and by 2009 there was interest amongst them to create a community garden.

Other

Friendship Community Garden

Based on a permaculture model, the Friendship Garden is a harmonious, intergenerational and educational space for Afghans, Iranians and the wider cultural community.

Wollongong & Surrounds

Green House Park Community Garden

The Greenhouse Park Community Garden was established in 2013 to educate volunteers on growing their own food.

Wollongong & Surrounds

Pulse Community Garden – University of Wollongong

After a long period of Isolation due to COVID-19, a call was made to create a space to re-connect staff and students to the land, community and art.  A community garden provides the perfect platform to blend all three.

Wollongong & Surrounds

LOCAL GROUPS AND DOWNLOADS

Information booklet

Community Gardens Start Up Kit

Download
Website

Community Gardens Australia

View Site

Watch

Dapto Community Farm

Listen

Growing Together, a Community Gardening Special

The transformative power of gardening has never been more evident – or more necessary – than it is now. This week guest presenters TV gardener Danny Clarke and Alana Cama from the RHS Campaign for School Gardening explore communal urban gardens tackling inequality and food poverty in Los Angeles with activist Indy Srinath.

View Podcast

Read

Suggested books

Community Gardening

View Book

The Urban Farmer: How to Create a Productive Garden in Any Space

View Book

Browse

Cultivating a Community Sustainable Gardening Australia: Community Gardens Community Gardens Australia

Research

Developing “community” in community gardens Diversity and connections in community gardens: a contribution to local sustainability