INFO
Welcome to March Street Allotment Gardens
The March Street Community Gardens Group (MSCGG) came into existence following the Newcastle City Council (NCC) adopting a Community Gardens Program in 1999.
In June, 2000, NCC published ‘Community Gardens’, a booklet which was the official guide to the community greening volunteer training program, and it was expected that all community garden groups use it.
In November 2021 we changed the name to the March Street Allotment Gardens (MSAG) to reflect that the garden plots are rented by an individual on a 12-monthly basis, allowing each individual to plant and grow their own produce. The produce and plants grown at the Gardens are owned and managed by the individual members. We welcome visitors to come and see what we do and ask people not to remove or pick produce from the garden beds.
The MSAG has its own charter, which spells out its mission statement, aims and objectives.
In addition, the MSAG has a set of rules which it expects its members to abide by, following their induction.
The MSCAG is an autonomous group of people who have been permitted by Newcastle City to make use of a designated area of land and materials in the March Street Reserve in Kotara, just a short distance from Blackbutt Reserve and beside Council’s Greening Centre.
In 2020 the group celebrate 21 successful years of managing the gardens.
MEMBERS CAN ENJOY
Members of the group – apart from making use of an allocated allotment plot, can take part in a variety of activities such as:
- worm farms information
- growing herbs
- compost making
- fruit trees
- plant sales
- honey sales
- attend and listen to invited speakers who tell of their hobby or skill, e.g. growing orchids, bee keeping and the like.
- educational talks
- learning about propagating.
COME JOIN THE GARDENS!
Please contact the
Secretary with all membership enquiries and to check if there are garden plots available. secretary@mscgardens.org
POPULAR FRIDAYS
Friday morning is the most popular day for retirees, who arrive at around 09:00 to garden and then participate in the “Happy Hour”, which commences at 10:00. This is the time for a cup of tea or coffee… with biscuits or cake… swapping news, and telling about things of interest with friends. Feel free to join us and bring your own mug along.
WORKING-BEE DAYS
The first and third Fridays of each month are usually Working-Bee days. There is always a morning tea – bring a small plate to share.
Sometimes, if things go to plan, these days are followed by a barbecue lunch that can be enjoyed by our members.
This is also the best day to come along to speak to our members, ask any questions and to see the gardens in action and learn about any upcoming projects.
We also sell honey on these days – $8 a jar – the money raised goes towards buying equipment and supplies to help improve the gardens for everyone’s enjoyment.
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP
Our Committee
JOHN HOSKIN
President
MICHELLE HESSING
Secretary
Web & Social Media
secretary@mscgardens.org
BILL EYRE
Treasurer
ROSE EYRE
Plots Coordinator
ANGELA
Committee
Member
Members pay for their private garden plots, growing a wide variety of produce
7 days/week
Member Gardener's Information
We believe that our site, together with the other features of the BLACKBUTT RESERVE, are tourist attractions. The Gardens that were first established by Newcastle City Council in 1999, has been maintained and improved by the founding gardeners and new-members. As the caretakers of this beautiful space, our goal is to ensure that it survives and continues to meet the needs of the community.
Our Members are asked to help out with:
Tending and maintaining the Worm Farm, producing “worm juice”
Keeping pathways on both sides of an allotment free of weeds, leaf matter
Composting duties… soil enrichment process
Growing herbs for cooking
General grounds weeding and watering
Maintaining your own individual allotments
Regular housekeeping tasks especially on Working-Bee days is appreciated
Caring for tools – sharpening, oiling, etc
Mowing of the lawn
some of the local wildlife that visit the Gardens
OUR GARDENS SUPPORTERS
We would like to acknowledge the long-standing support and assistance provided our our Group, including the land that we are setup on. The Council have played a major role in allowing us to develop and improve the gardens for over 21 years.
Special mention goes to Newcastle Council’s Gardens Coordinator – Mark Pepperall and his team, who are always there to encourage and provide assistance and who support the efforts of the Committee to continually improve the Gardens for its members and visitors.
Bunnings Kotara have been a great supporter of our Gardens and we acknowledge their ongoing advice and contribution to our Group.
Bunnings Kotara is located in the HomeMaker Centre, Kotara.
Opening hours can be found at the website:
www.bunnings.com.au
An online seed store for Australian Gardeners. Australian owned and operated business based in Ferntree Gully, The Dandenongs, Victoria.
Specialising in:
- Herb, vegetable and flower seeds
- Heirloom, open pollinated, non hybrid and non GMO seeds with no chemical treatments.
- Custom made seed packets
www.theseedcollection.com.au
Q&A
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MARCH STREET COMMUNITY GARDENS? YOU MIGHT FIND THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS HERE…
What kind of activities are there that we can get involved with at the Gardens?
Excursions, working-bees, education sessions, learning from other members and barbecues. The NEWS + GALLERY page has information about what’s on and our current months Newsletter that is free to download.
Can I pick the produce at the gardens?
No, do not remove anything from any part of the Gardens. Our plots are owned by our members who invest money and time into growing the plants in their garden beds.
If you’d like to join, visit at 10am on a Friday morning or contact the Secretary.
When are the Gardens open?
We are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Members of the public can come to the MSC Gardens to see our garden. Each allotment is privately owned by a member who plays for their allotment and the product they grow in it. Please don’t pick or remove produce from any of the gardens.
If you are interested in joining the best time to visit is 10am on a Friday morning to chat to our members and enjoy a cuppa.
Do you have a limit on how many members can join?
We warmly encourage new member enquiries – either as an allotment owner or a social member. Social membership is $10/year.
Fresh ideas, new faces and enthusiastic new members are always welcome to visit on a Friday morning at 10am, weather permitting and join us for a coffee.
Do I need to know anything about gardening to become a member?
No, you can be any age, and experience isn’t necessary… just come along with a passion or interest in learning about gardening. Our members have a wealth of information and are always happy to answer any questions and can steer you in the right direction if you get stuck.
For example what time of year to plant certain vegetables, how to prepare the soil, pests and weeds… there’s always something new to learn.
What does it cost to join?
There is a yearly allotment levy fee of $15 per allotment, payable in June every year and $10/year for social members to join the MSC Gardens..
If you are interested in joining our Gardens send an email to the Secretary – secretary@mscgardens.org for more information. Come on a Friday morning at 9.30-10.30am to speak to one of our Committee Members or have a chat with one of our gardeners.