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Growing food at home

We run workshops on topics such including small space gardening, beekeeping, composting, keeping chickens and more.

Growing food at home includes everything from a windowsill herb planter to a full scale productive food garden with fruit trees, veggies, chickens or bees!
 
To help our community grow food we have the My Smart Garden program which promotes ‘smart gardening’ through workshops, events, website resources, a regular newsletter, social media and community connections. My Smart Garden workshops run throughout the year on a variety of topics including:
 
• small space gardening
• organic gardening
• beekeeping
• composting
• keeping chickens

Subscribe to My Smart Garden e-newsletter for seasonal gardening advice, upcoming workshops, recommended reading plus more.

If there is a workshop topic that you would particularly like to learn about, please contact our Urban Agriculture team at 9205 5555 or email us at [email protected].

Compost bins and worm farms are great ways to help your garden flourish, while also reducing the amount of food scraps and garden waste sent to landfill. We have a range of compost bins and worm farms available at reduced rates for residents.

Check out Sharewaste if you need more food scraps or you don't have space for a compost bin or worm farm at home. They can help you:

  • find someone who can accept and compost your food scraps
  • add yourself as a host to help compost for others

Yarra Seed Library - Seed Saving Group

Join our monthly Seed Saving Group at Carlton Library and learn the art of preserving heirloom and native plant varieties. 
 
This hands-on group covers techniques for collecting, storing, and germinating seeds, ideal for gardeners passionate about sustainability and self-sufficiency. We also run garden related workshops and activities in our sessions. Beginners are welcome! Second Thursday of the month 10am – 12pm.
 
Outside of these times, visit the library during opening hours to drop off and take seeds home.
 
Location: Carlton Library, 667 Rathdowne St, Carlton North
 

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