Simply Living Community Garden (PDF)

In July 2008 the congregation received a Community Grant from the City of Port Philllip to build the Simply Living Community Garden, an edible garden for the neighbourhood.

A Garden Working Group made up of church members and local residents is developing the rules of use of the garden and deciding what to grow each season with the support of a Community Garden Support worker for the first 12 months.

Building the Garden
The garden was built in a series of working bees during October 2008. Thanks to the 38 people who came along to help during one or more of the five days. These included church members, neighbours, local resident, clients of South Port UnitingCare and two corporate teams (from Bovis Lend Lease and SEEK Employment) each supported by their employers to work in the community for a day. Special thanks to Wendy and Neil from the Port Phillip EcoCentre for sharing their expertise in designing the garden, planning the work schedule and showing us all how to do the building.

Growing the Garden - working bees
Everyone is welcome to help grow the garden by joining in the community working bees, held for one hour once a month. 
April - October, 3rd Sunday of the month, 11am - noon
November 2010 - March 2011, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6-7pm

Kindergarten families
Our garden project worker will be at the garden each Wednesday from 12 noon to 1.15pm (between the morning and afternoon kinder sessions) during term time. Parents and children are welcome to stop by and join in some gardening activities including planting seeds and seedlings in the garden or planting seeds to grow at home and then bring back to plant in the garden.

What’s growing now (Autumn-Winter 2010):
Heat & Bean bed – chillies, capsicums, celery, bush basil - broccoli, cabbage and kale later in season
Winter greens & root crops – Lettuce,mizuna, celery, green peas, carrots
Leafy greens & others - Silverbeet, beetroot, capsicum, lettuce, rocket
Tomato bed – Cherry tomatoes, basil - will be replaced with broad beans in May
Trellis – passionfruit
Rosemary hedge
Herb bed– lemon tree, oregano, sage, parsley, thyme, lemon grass; also mint & oregano at bed ends,

"Leaflet", the Simply Living garden newsletter is distributed to those who are interested in the garden or can be downloaded here.

Leaflet No. 1, July 2008 (137 kB)
Leaflet No. 2, August 2008 (275 kB)
Leaflet No. 3, September 2008 (365 kB)
Leaflet No. 4, November 2008 (475 kB)
Leaflet No. 5, January 2009 (763 kB)
Leaflet No. 6. March 2009 (867 kB)
Leaflet No.7, April 2009 (567 kB)
Leaflet No 8, June 2009 (846 KB)
Leaflet No.9, July 2009 (607KB)
Leaflet No. 10, September 2009 (522KB)
Leaflet No. 11, November 2009 (466 KB)
Leaflet No. 12, December 2009 (400 KB)

Leaflet No.13, February 2010 (1Mb)
Leaflet No. 14, March 2010 (109KB)
Leaflet No. 15, May 2010 (594 KB)
Leaflet No. 16, July 2010 (860KB)

What's on:

Community working bees:
3rd Sunday of month 11 am -12 noon, April-Oct
3rd Tuesday of month 6-7 pm, Nov-March


Kindergarten families gardening,
Wednesdays during school terms, 12—1.15 pm

Social cooking using garden produce: cost $3
Book at South Port Uniting Church office
ph: 9690 1188

Fresh on Friday
1st Friday of month, 10am-1.30 pm

Kitchen Mates
Fridays 11am—2pm
(6 sessions per term)

For all enquiries phone Church office 9690 1188 or Janet Hoare on 9314 1010