Welcome
Welcome to the Canberra Organic Growers Society web site. We are a group of gardeners (mainly urban) dedicated to growing our own organic fruit and vegetables, either in backyards or community gardens. This web site contains information on various practical aspects of organic gardening and is particularly relevant to the Canberra region. It also contains information about our community gardens, notices of coming events of interest to gardeners and a blog which includes gardening questions and answers. The web site will be regularly updated so please subscribe to our RSS feed so that you are notified of any significant additions to the site, new events and breaking news.
News and Events
Upcoming events
19 September 2010 10:30 AM
Growing Your Own Organic Vegies with Graham Williams, Lanyon's Head Gardener. Join Graham in an informative walk in the extensive Lanyon garden. He will explain the processes of growing vegetables organically, cultivating old fashioned varieties, propagating seedlings and nurturing gardens through Canberra's long hot summer. Cost $20 (ACT M&G members $15). Call 62355677 or email historicplacesbookings@act.gov.au for bookings and payment.
Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa
25 September 2010 10:00 AM
Wicking Bed Demonstration. COGS member Alan Robertson is converting a second of his garden beds at the O’Connor garden to a wicking bed to reduce water consumption and to minimise the risk of tree root intrusion. He is taking the conversion to a state where we can see the construction process and all of the layers. Alan invites COGS members and friends to join him to see the bed and discuss it with him on Saturday 25 September from 10 am, adjourning to Tilley’s (with Slow Food Canberra members) for coffee at around 10.30.
A photo album showing the staged construction of the first bed can be viewed on http://picasaweb.google.com.au/Alanataraba/WICKINGBEDCONSTRUCTION?authkey=Gv1sRgCNuQ-OSYmbvj3QE#
O’Connor community garden, Jarrah Street, corner Brigalow Street, behind the church hall
07 October 2010 09:00 AM
Community Garden Conference - Promoting sustainability, health and inclusion in the city. Co-hosted by the University of Canberra and Canberra Organic Growers Society.
Community gardens play an important role in promoting urban health, social inclusion, active civic participation and practices of sustainable living in urban environments. This 2-day conference to be held on October 7-8 at the University of Canberra brings together representatives of different forms of community gardening practices in Australia to share knowledge, promote dialogue and assess best practice to enable policy makers and urban planners to engage more productively and sustainably with local food systems through community gardens and city farms. High quality, informed planning policy and practice improves the sustainability and liveability of our cities. This conference will contribute to this by exploring community gardening practices, academic evaluations of local food systems and current policy initiatives. We are looking for people to participate in the conference and encourage you to seek further information by contacting COGS using the Contacts page of this web site.
To register for the Conference and for more information on the program and speakers, see the conference web site at www.canberra.edu.au/communitygardens or click the title above.
Canberra University (Room TBA)
Majura Community Centre
Other activities
Organic Gardening for Beginners at CIT Solutions, run by an experienced COGS member (a course fee applies).
There one scheduled for Semester 2. It will start on 28 August. Each course runs for four sessions of 3 hours each. Participants are entitled to free membership of COGS for 6 months and, on payment of the current plot levy, access to a COGS community garden when plots are available. Details will be available soon on http://citace.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Cit.woa/wa/subCategory?ID=35&page=2.
Composting and Worm Farms
Composting and Worm farming workshop will be held in conjunction with CIT Solutions on 9 October. Each workshop will be for 3 hours (12:30 to 3:30pm). Details will be available soon on http://citace.com.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Cit.woa/wa/subCategory?ID=35&page=1. A workshop fee applies.
Grow Your Own Organic Backyard Food – Permaculture Short Course
Spring is here, it’s time join the increasing number of people who are ‘growing their own’ organic fruit and vegetables. This short Course will teach you how to get started without having to spend lots of time and money! Topics covered are based on permaculture principles and include: planning, soil, composting, water, ‘where and when to grow what’ and finally ….harvesting !
Dates: 18-Sep-2010 and 25-Sep-2010, Time: 10.00-2.30pm, Teacher: Barbara Schreiner Where: Canberra Environment and Sustainability Resource Centre, Cnr Lawson Circuit and Lennox Crossing, Acton
Cost: $180, Bring: A light lunch…tea/coffee provided, Bookings and more Info: info(@)ecoaction.com.au
Compostable Material Available from Tuggeranong Hyperdome
The Tuggeranong Hyperdome has a variety of organic waste available for composting or worm farms including waste from Fresh Life the fruit market, waste from the Food court, coffee grinds, serviettes, some cooked meats.
They would prefer these waste products did not go to the tip. To access these compostable materials for your compost heap or worms please contact Wayne Hudson on 6293 1000 or email Wayne_Hudson(at)cfsgam.com.au.
