How does your garden grow?

Gardening or growing your own food has more than just physical health benefits.

Over the time of Covid-19 and our increased time inside, more and more people have realised the importance of food consumption and how if it did become a limited resource, what is our next option? Seeds and seedlings were automatically flying off the shelves in nurseries and hardware stores, society were beginning to understand the importance of having their own source of food.

Gardening has been proven to increase your happiness levels… really! Mycobacterium vaccae, found in soil, triggers the release of serotonin in our brain, serotonin is known as the happiness chemical or a natural anti-depressant. So not only does the fresh food do wonders for the mind and body but actually getting your hands dirty and playing in the soil growing your own food will help with the effects Covid-19 has had on communities.

 

So where to start you ask? Why not visit your local community garden, full of wisdom and experience those who frequent a community garden range in age and skill level. This means you’ll never feel out of place and may just make some new friends along the way. The UQ Community Garden Club has been running for over 10 years and recently (Nov 2019) finalised with the board of the University a brand new community garden on campus. With 8 large raised beds there’s plenty of room for the group to learn and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables. If you’re like me, a student living in an apartment and wish to start growing your own fruit and veg the best place to start is by contacting your local community garden, they will be able to offer a range of seedlings as well as education on what’s in season and what can be grown in a small space. I recommend starting with a couple of pots, try hardy fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, limes, capsicum and lettuce.

Brisbane Community Gardens:

• West End- Jane Street Community Garden
• University of Queensland Community Garden
• Gabba Hill Community Garden
• New Farm Neighbourhood Community Garden
• Kundu Park Community Garden

& lots more!

Find your nearest community garden here:

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/clean-and-green/green-home-and-community/community-groups/community-gardens-and-city-farms/find-your-local-community-garden