Bentley Community Garden

Louise Kaestner
Jan 11, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 12, 2025

Source: Screenshot (2025).

Response from Bentley Community Garden

Bentley Community Garden is the closest community garden to Curtin campus in Bentley. This garden is situated in the City of Canning, which is just south of Perth. I've been fortunate enough to visit this beautiful, eclectic community garden on a couple of occasion during another unit focused on SDG2: No Hunger. An atmosphere of community pervades it when it is in session. Most of the people are older and sometimes there are disabled people who participate. Bentley Community Garden responded to my request on January 5, 2025.

What inspired you?

Retirement and a need to find something to do, combined with a love of gardening.

How long have you been running?

The garden was started by residents of Brownlie Towers in Bentley in 2009.

What was your original source of funding?

The Department of Housing provided funding for community gardens in the area in 2008

How much was it?

They provided $20,00 for community gardens in the area. Not sure how much of that was for this garden.

What are your ongoing costs?

Manure, straw mulch, seedlings, irrigation parts and padlocks. Our insurance is paid for by the Department of Communities and our water is provided by the City of Canning so our costs are minimal.

How do you fund the garden now?

The garden itself is doing well as we have recently had a large grant from the Department of Communities for a range of different things we wanted ie manure, mulch, composters, a mulcher, hoses, childrens play toys etc, and are about to get a small one from the local council to create a Bush Tucker garden. However we do struggle to increase our membership. The start of the local Manning markets nearby has helped to bring a few people into the garden to look around but so far only one person has joined. Our membership fees and donations pays for day-to-day things such as morning tea and cleaning products etc.

Any grants you recommend?

Definitely the Department of Communities grant. However the small local council one is very helpful for us each year.

What are your two best crops?

Zucchinis and watermelon

What are your two worst crops?

Lettuce as there are not many people who want to eat it and corn as either it doesn't get enough water or the rats eat it.

Do you use fertiliser or worms?

We use fertiliser, compost and worm juice at this time.

Do you use any Indigenous crop?

We use Saltbush and Native Thyme. We grow a lot of Warrigal greens but nobody uses it. We are also growing a Lemon Myrtle and a Quandong that are currently too small to use. We will be putting more bush tucker plants in next month when we get our grant from the council including Midyim berry.

What is one tip or trick you’ve used that has impacted your success in a positive way?

Continued hard work to maintain a garden and space that looks good and encourages people to come along and participate. We have found the large green space draws people in to have a look.

What is one mistake in the garden you wished you’d never made?

Engaging with someone who wanted to take over our infrastructure.

Synthesis for Bentley Community Garden

As with Garden Gnome, the Department of Communities played a hand in establishing the garden. As with the previous two gardens, they seek to create healthy soil by using compost and worms. However, they are not adverse to using fertiliser. When it comes to funding, Bentley Community Garden sought assistance from the local coucil.

bentleycommunitygardens@gmail.com