THE Langwarrin Community Centre’s Backyard Community Garden will host an open day next month.
Bernie Higney owns two plots of land at the community garden. He will be cooking a barbeque at the open day on 5 March.
Mr Higney said getting a garden plot in the Backyard Community Garden after he retired was a “way to reconnect to my past”.
“Taking care of my veggies gives me time to be in the moment and enjoy the space and it’s great to share the spoils with family and friends,” he said. “Now that we’re able to get out and about freely, I’ve been able to tend my plot more regularly and keep up the watering and feeding. My plot has given me a consistent yield of Asian vegetables, tomatoes and salad greens. Also, I’ve had success this summer with eggplants and am going to plant some more for a winter crop.
“If you ask what my gardening secret is, it’s the preparation of the bed, before I start planting. I dig in compost, mulch the top and make sure I feed the soil regularly with liquid or pellets so the plants have nutrition for growth.”
The Backyard Community Garden open day runs from 11am to 1pm on 5 March. The garden is at 2 Lang Road, Langwarrin on the corner of Warrandyte and Lang Roads.
For more information call Langwarrin Community Centre on 9789 7653 or visit their webpage www.langwarrincc.org.au