Garden Gnome

Louise Kaestner
Jan 11, 2025
2 min read

Source: Screenshot (2025).

Response from Garden Gnome

Garden Gnome, otherwise known as the North Perth Community Garden and located in the City of Vincent, was the first community garden to respond to my request for some basic information. I received their response on December 30, 2024 by email. This is the same way I asked the questions.

What inspired you?

Garden Gnome: Creating a local community space that is based around gardening and nature.

How long have you been running?

Garden Gnome: City of Vincent first proposed the idea in 1999, but initial work and organisation to form NPCG began in 2012, it first opened to take members in 2013.

What was your original source of funding?

Original source funding was from City of Vincent and I think Lotterywest.

How much was it?

$10,000

What are your ongoing costs?

Insurance

Rent

Consumables for the garden - fertilisers, mulch etc

Catering

Tools

Infrastructure replacement/repair

How do you fund the garden now?

Membership fees

Donations

Grants

Plant sales

Any grants you recommend?

Community Garden grants from Dept of Communities

Lotterywest

Volunteering WA - Corporate Volunteer Program - provides volunteers to do work and funding

There is a list of grants available from Dept of Communities

What are your two best crops?

Depends on the season, some years it's one thing other's it's different

What are your two worst crops?

Depends on the season, some years it's one thing other's it's different.

Do you use fertiliser or worms?

Yes, we attempt to use organic based products only, create our own compost and focus on building & creating a healthy soil ecosystem.

Do you use any Indigenous crop?

Not currently, we have tried to find experts to run workshops on indigenous food crops but have never had a response to any of our inquiries.

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

Having different activities, membership types & events happening that attract different groups & types of people for different reasons - a little bit of something for everyone.

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

Wasn't exactly a mistake we wish we'd never made but an experience to learn from: taking on a project that overcommitted us beyond the capacity of our volunteers to maintain.

Synthesis from the Garden Gnome Questions

They source their finances from a variety of ways from funding to sales. Their costs associated with Garden Gnome surprised me as I had not taken into account insurance. It also took 15 years for the seed that was planted to sprout, much less produce a harvest. They had no advice on plants. However, the wisdom of not overextending oneself is valid for any project or person.

I appreciate Garden Gnome''s willingness to answer my questions. chair@northperthcommunitygarden.org