A series of seven community gatherings designed to reconnect locals with growing, habitat and food is now underway in Scotts Head, with the first event drawing 27 participants to the village’s community garden earlier this month.
Coast and Cultivate, hosted by the Scotts Head Community Group, runs from June to November and spans talks, private garden visits and a closing potluck dinner. The series is held on Ngambaa Country and is open to everyone, from experienced growers to complete beginners.
Organiser Jayne Walker said the program had a clear sense of purpose behind it.
“To bring the community together on Ngambaa Country to grow and share plants and food, create habitat, support food security, sustainable food systems and pollinators,” said Ms Walker.
The opening event, held at the Scotts Head Community Garden on Saturday, 13 June, set a warm tone for the months ahead. Aunty Angel introduced participants to a range of local Indigenous bush tucker plants, including lemon myrtle, mint bush, lilly pilly, native ginger, aniseed myrtle, curry myrtle, native cinnamon, native thyme, pigface, native spinach, candle nuts, wombat berry and bracken fern. She then shared traditional knowledge about the use of these plants and gave a demonstration of weaving.
There was also a discussion surrounding the potential to incorporate native and bush tucker plants into further landscaping at the Scotts Head Reflections Holiday Park as a way of connecting visitors with local culture and environment.
Community garden host George welcomed the group and shared some foundational gardening wisdom, reflecting on what he described as two essential ingredients for successful gardening: good soil and plenty of patience.
He told attendees that all practices at the community garden are organic, with pyrethrum the only pest control used. Visitors had the chance to explore the garden’s thriving winter vegetable beds and an orchard of apple, orange, lemon and finger lime trees.
The morning wrapped up with tea, coffee, and homemade carrot cake and guacamole, giving participants a chance to connect and share stories.
The next gathering takes place on Saturday, 4 July, at a local resident’s private home garden. Horticulturalist Rachel Freeman will lead a session on cool-season soil preparation for growing vegetables. Organisers ask that attendees register in advance and dress for all weather conditions.
The full program for the remainder of the year is:
Saturday, 26 July: Hot for Habitat: Native Gardens for Native Wildlife, with Chloe Brant from Bonville Nursery.
Saturday, 29 August: Food Forestry and Edible Landscapes, with Nate Cosford.
Friday, 26 September: Native Garden Visit: Plants and Natural Weed Management, with Briony Magoffin.
Saturday, 31 October: Pollinators: Bees, Gardens and Landscape, with Cath O’Donnell and Karen Welch.
Friday, 28 November: Bush Tucker Tour, Film Night and Potluck Meal, with Aunty Angel (Ngambaa Elder) and Rhys Pacey, Field Officer. This event will be held at Scotts Head Public School from 4pm to 8pm.
The Coast and Cultivate series is coordinated by Fiona Preston, Simone Rudolf, Janet Granek and Jayne Walker of the Scotts Head Community Group. Tickets and registration are available at https://events.humanitix.com/host/scotts-head-community-group
Advertising with North Coast Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.