The West Leederville Community Garden began in 2007 as a partnership between residents and the Town of Cambridge. To establish the Garden the Town provided land and some initial funding while volunteers provided the labour to change a scruffy, sandy and unused parcel of land into a community asset. Subsequent grants from a range of sources and input from members have enabled it to continue developing.
The Garden was established to help foster a sense of community, to encourage people to take an interest in growing their own food and to learn about ecologically sustainable practices as well as to provide a safe place for families to come and enjoy gardening and outdoor activities together.
Since its inception there have been many developments and changes in the Garden however its objectives have remained unchanged.
Garden Layout
There are shared spaces and individual plots for growing vegetables and flowers. Shared spaces also include fruit trees, native plants, a worm farm and a pond (actually an old metal bath full of reeds). The “pond” is optimistically called the Frog Pond. In the shared areas for vegetable and flower growing along the western side of the Garden, members can plant what they like and all members can pick anything growing there. Individual plots (4x4m or 2x4m) are rented to members on an annual basis and anything grown in these plots belongs to the individual member.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone in Perth. All members are expected to participate in general garden maintenance and activities and fees reflect plot size only. Some prefer however to join as general members ($30.00 a year and no plot) and others as volunteers (no fee).
The money raised from membership fees is used to pay annual insurance and to hire outside help for special projects and any maintenance which can’t be handled “in house”. This money is also used to buy garden tools, equipment and materials to help make compost for which the most expensive item is a blend of cow/sheep manure.
Members are provided with most of the materials needed for gardening and only need to bring along what they want to plant, shade cloth materials and any extras they wish to add to their plots.
The Garden is a thriving community which supports and encourages its individual members. Members are in turn expected to contribute to caring for this unique environment and show kindness and respect towards others. A smile and a chat mean a lot!
Visitors and gardeners from small children to retirees chatting over the garden beds can enjoy peaceful shady spots in the garden, gather for working bees or trade tips on pest control and planting.
From time to time we hold workshops on gardening topics and with our broad, crushed limestone driveway and a wide welcoming pathway from the carpark to the main entrance, the Garden is also wheelchair accessible.
Visitors are welcome to come and learn about the garden and meet members on Saturday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm. Occasionally, if the weather is really hot, the gates are not opened on Saturday afternoons. Members have access to the garden 7 days a week.
Our Containers for Change ID is C10323900.
You’re welcome to donate your organic/compostable waste, by using our black collection bin next to the north western gate, accessible from the Bowlo carpark.
West Leederville Community Garden Inc 