A Commons Project by ‘Radicle Roots
In the spirit of the ‘Commons’ – a concept relating to the collectively-organised and self-governed use of common land – a group of locals have reappropriated a patch of public land in Coburg’s De Chene reserve, next to Bell st.’
‘Radicle Roots’ (named after the the first part of a seed that develops roots) took inspiration from ‘Growing Forward’, a Brisbane-based group which has started several community gardens, growing food to support those who need it and as an attempt to move away from unsustainable food production methods. Growing Forward has three principles: nobody owns the garden, the food is free, and mistakes are welcome.
When the Meddler visited the Coburg garden on a recent Saturday, workers were sharing a garlic and lemon laden zucchini salad, which was made with the garden’s first produce.
Two of the founders of the De Chene reserve garden told the Meddler that it’s not just about growing food, but connecting people by growing things together, adding that every Saturday there were new and different faces. Amongst the regulars are burnt out activists, looking to connect with others by contributing to a tangible project, and those living in the nearby block of apartments on the corner of Bell St and Nicholson St.
Some locals frequent the plot during the week; people who might be able to grow pot plants on their balconies, but don’t have a place to garden. Signs encourage the public to contribute in whatever way they like. On Saturdays there is a regular working bee from 10am-1pm, but it’s always open.
The gardeners have been developing ideas on how a disparate group can communicate across the week, and are trialling a ‘Garden Communication Book’ – a diary that remains on the site – where people can let others know what they’ve done to the site and when. Tasks that need to be done can also be logged on a whiteboard next to the entrance, which helps provide a starting point for those who aren’t sure how to contribute.
The location of the Coburg garden was carefully chosen to invite public participation, as well as to have access to a large open space with a source of water: “we looked for places people accidentally walk through on their way somewhere”, said one of the founders.
The garden lies next to the park playground, is adjacent to a sports field (home of Brunswick Juventus FC), and close to two open air gyms and the Merri Creek trail. People and dogs regularly pass by the gardens as the working bee is in action, some of whom come up to find out what the garden is all about.
Unfortunately, these ‘guerilla gardens’ can be vulnerable to hostile community members. In QLD, this has led to some plots being vandalised by individuals or pulled down by Council.
Similar concerns that Merri-bek council workers might rip up the De Chene garden were brought to the Council. Cr James Conlan added a motion about the garden to the next council agenda, which has the practical effect of keeping the garden safe from Council intervention until then.
The group has a number of plans, including linking up with local initiatives to donate some of the produce to those who need it.
By SAS and BB
Donate to their cause using this QR code.
UPDATE: Radicle Roots is running an info day about the garden on 4 February at 3pm, at the garden in De Chene Reserve!
The Coburg Meddler 