At the Vasey RSL Care Frankston South Ex-Service Accommodation (ESA), a number of dedicated volunteers have come together as ‘Caretakers’ of the newly developed Community Garden. The fruit of their labours is already evident!

The community garden has eight raised garden beds and a fruit orchard has recently been planted with residents looking forward to seeing their first fruits in spring this year.

In the fruit tree orchard, there are lemon, lime, orange, fig, Pink Lady, Granny Smith and Gala apples, mandarin and avocado trees.

Growing strongly in the raised beds are potatoes, tomatoes, beans, zucchini, onions, carrots, lettuce, pumpkin, celery and asparagus.

There is also a vine plantation and a herb garden.

The vine plantation is providing raspberries and strawberries (both to be used for making good old-fashioned jam), blueberries, kiwi fruit and passion fruit, while the herb garden has parsley, coriander and mint with other herbs to be added during the year.

Not only is the garden providing wonderful produce, it is also a great way for residents to socialise and work outdoors together, both of which have great health benefits. Some residents just enjoy sitting in this very relaxing environment.

One of the gardening team said, “This is just a great project for everyone to enjoy – and to provide free produce for all the residents.”

The garden caretakers will pick the produce when it’s ready and will leave it in the Community Hall for everyone to share.

The Frankston South ESA residents get together on the first Friday of each month for a barbecue lunch and most of the potatoes and onions grown will be stored for these.
The Tool Shed has also been updated on the site, with a wide choice of tools available for all residents to use. It has all the standard equipment plus some ‘specialist tools’ as well, and has been made more accessible with a wide concrete path for easy access by all residents.

Overall, the Community Garden at Vasey RSL Care Frankston South ESA has increased social engagement and physical exercise for the Caretakers, offers a place of quiet contemplation and a beautiful environment for all to enjoy – and the big bonus is the seasonal supply of veggies, fruit and berries.

We’d like to give a big shout out to all the wonderful Community Garden Caretakers at Frankston South ESA who have put so much effort and care into bringing the Community Garden up to such a productive and valuable asset to the whole community.