Grants sow seeds for thriving gardens

Gatton gardeners (from left) Kay Wright and Pat Lotty work their patch, which has already yielded several crops.

The idea of growing vegetables has literally taken root among Queensland’s social housing tenants, thanks to a Department
of Communities grant scheme.

Since the launch in 2009 of the Tenant Participation Communal Vegetable Garden Grant 24 tenant groups from across the state have taken up the grants, which offer funding of up to $1000.

The funding enables groups to purchase small garden tools, wheelbarrows, seedlings and plants, fertilisers, worm farms and composters.

In Yates Street, Gatton, the communal garden has yielded several crops since being created just over a year ago.

Resident Kay Wright says there’s nothing like home-grown produce.

“Just last night I had my own kipfler potatoes and purple carrots – they were superb,” she says.

Another resident, Pat Lotty, says she loves to get outside and the vegetables are almost a bonus, particularly the spinach which she enjoyed over several months.

At Emerald, a group in Karinya Court happily picked its first crop, thanks to members whose ages range from 67 to more than 90.

The Emerald Shire Council manages their housing and helped the group with garden beds, soil and garden shed. Local Housing Service Centres or community housing providers ensure basic infrastructure is in place, and tenant groups soon become self-sufficient.

For more information about the grant scheme, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre on 1300 880 882 or visit Housing and Homelessness Services on the Department of Communities website.