Around 15 volunteers arrived at the garden in Wynter Street around 10am on Sunday, May 28 to take part in the garlic planting working bee.

Garden horticulturalist Darren Harrison instructed the volunteers on how to break the garlic bulbs into cells, sort for planting or eating, and then plant into the long beds of soil that had been prepared earlier in the week. See story ‘Cultivating kindness’.

Darren initiated the plan to grow garlic last year to provide a source of income to assist with the ongoing costs of the garden. The first crop was grown and harvested to test the best varieties for conditions and to provide seed for this season’s planting.

“The problems come when funding finishes or is cut and the project cannot hold its own financially,” Darren said. 

“If we were to grow 150 kilograms of garlic and sold it for a minimum of $20 a kilo that’s a couple of thousand dollars and also gives seed for next year. It would be wonderful if this garden could be sustained by an annual crop.”

He is an experienced garlic grower in Elands and took a moment at the working bee to explain the process to Will Katsamangos of Tinonee.

The garden hosts monthly working bee events to ensure garden beds and crops are managed and produce is harvested. 

Working bee co-ordinator Bree Katsamangos said the next working bee would be on June 25 and urged new volunteers to attend.

She said children were welcome as the garden was a unique environment and provided numerous opportunities for learning and fun. She cited the contribution of her son, Archer, to the garlic planting working bee as an example of an activity they could do while at the event.

For more information about Taree Community Garden click here to visit its Facebook page.