We are a community garden in Coburg, located within the grounds of the historic Pentridge Prison. Our space has kindly been set aside by Shayher Group, and we are completely volunteer-run.
Pentridge is different to most community gardens. Rather than focus on personal plots, our emphasis is on communal gardening, where we plant and maintain the garden together. It’s a lovely way to meet neighbours, and means there’s always something tasty to harvest.
We are always excited to welcome new members and there are lots of ways to get involved.
Gardening Membership
$70 Full | $35 Concession | $120 Families
Gardening Membership provides you with access to the large communal gardening space at any time. We supply seeds and seedlings (although you are welcome to bring your own) as well as fertiliser, soil, compost, tools and everything else needed to make the garden thrive. Other gardeners will be very happy to help you as we garden together and your skills develop.
All gardening members share the harvest of fresh fruit, veggies, flowers and herbs that come from our hard work. There’s always plenty to go around!
Note:
- Information about eligible concession cards.
- All Members of the Pentridge Community Garden automatically become members of our parent organisation, Moreland Community Gardening (MCG). This gives you a say in how the garden is run, the opportunity to become an organiser or board member, and a vote at the AGM. A family membership entitles you to nominate two MCG members.
- All of our memberships are annual.
Drop off your compost
*Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, the garden is currently closed to the general public.* (Updated 27th August 2021)
Members of the public are welcome to deposit scraps during open hours – right now that’s Sunday mornings, or whenever the gate is open.
Check our Facebook page for up-to-date info. If you’d like to contribute to the compost any time, we recommend a Friend of the Garden membership.
Contact Pentridge Community Garden
Like our Facebook Page
Email us: hello.pentridge@morelandcommunitygardening.org
Location
Pentridge Community Garden is located at the corner of Murray Road and Stockade Avenue, Coburg – opposite Coburg Lake.
The 526 and 561 buses go right past and the 530 and 534 or the No 19 tram are pretty close.
Limited parking is available in Stockade Ave or the new side street, Moonering Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the garden open only to Pentridge residents? No! Anyone is welcome to join us.
Do I need to have gardening experience? No! We all bring different skills to the garden and we are looking forward to learning from each other.
How big is the space? The site is around 1500m2, of which 1250m2 is usable for gardening.
Can I volunteer my building/painting/woodworking skills?
Yes! The garden is up and running, but it’s still a work in progress. We’ll continue to build and fill garden beds and complete the site over the coming months.
Can I have a private allotment?
We have a handful of personal plots for Gardening Members who are interested in tending their own private space. We notify members periodically via email when these become available. An additional annual fee is charged for use of a personal plot.
Is the garden wheelchair accessible?
The entrance to the garden is accessible from the footpath with a slight lip where the concrete ends. There are no steps in the garden, and the ground is made of gravel with some larger rocks that may be difficult to navigate. The shed (shipping container) is not wheelchair accessible.
Do you have a toilet onsite?
We have a portaloo on site. If you prefer a flusing toilet, please use the facilities over the road at Coburg Lake Reserve or at Pentridge Shopping Centre.
What can I put in the community garden compost?
You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, pet and human hair, dried leaves, straw or hay, non-glossy paper (torn up) and cardboard (torn up).
When can I access the compost?
Members can access the compost around-the-clock, and anyone is welcome to drop off their compost during open garden sessions (or whenever the gate is open).
Can my restaurant/organisation contribute food waste?
No, sorry. We only have capacity for personal quantities of compost.
See what we have in store for the garden!
Get to know our members
Janice joined us in mid-2020, and is a valued member of the Pentridge Community Garden’s Organising Committee.She enjoys being part of the friendly community, spending time in the garden while getting some exercise, and having access to seasonal fruit and veggies.
“I moved into an apartment in the Pentridge complex at the end of 2019 and having a big verandah I started growing herbs and flowering plants almost immediately. I have wanted to join a community garden for a number of years, but haven’t been settled anywhere long enough until now, so I was excited to see the Pentridge Community Garden so close to my home.
I’m pretty much a novice gardener and this garden having lots of shared plots suits me very well. It’s great to share space with others and join in the weekly working bees to gain experience. It’s a good way to meet a diverse group of friendly people and taking home a share of the harvest is fantastic.
I’m retired with more free time than I have been used to, so I also enjoy being a member of the Organising Committee. The meetings are only once every two months but they’ve given me a broader perspective of the garden and appreciation of the different contributions of others.”
Katya has been involved with Pentridge Community Garden since the beginning, and is a valued member of its Organising Committee. She got involved because the unit she had recently moved into had no garden, and she also wanted to meet her neighbours. She loves being around the greenery of the garden, harvesting things that she has helped to grow from scratch, using produce from the garden (especially the raspberries) in cooking, and of course weeding!
“It’s been such a therapeutic space to have access to during lockdown when we don’t have any outside area. Gardening with other people is such a great way to learn more. The community is outstanding.”
Julie first got involved with Pentridge Community Garden, over three years ago, because she downsized to a townhouse and wanted to keep composting. She also saw the need for a community garden in the local area.
She loves being able to stop food waste through composting, as well as enjoying fresh produce from the garden, and meeting friendly, community minded people.
“The community garden is a precious green space in a crowded estate and I would love more residents to come and join us!”
If you’re a member of Pentridge Community Garden, you’ll almost certainly know Andrew. He was instrumental in getting the garden established, when he found himself living in an area without a community garden and decided to do something (big) about it.
For the first four years of the garden’s life, Andrew was the convenor, before he decided to take a step back to focus on being a gardener. He enjoys being part of the diverse group of community members who get together to grow food, make a green space, and share experiences, laughs and lives at the garden.
“Community gardens can be powerful community hubs as well as places for city-dwellers to grow and share food, keep a connection with the natural environment, and relax in a green, growing oasis in the city. We need more of them!”
Russell is a member of the PCG Organising Committee, and has been involved with the garden for years.
“The idea of a communal garden was attractive for the physical and social activity involved. I liked the Pentridge Garden people as well as the challenge of making a garden on a large barren gravelly paddock. There are so many ways community gardens contribute to quality of life and general wellbeing – I don’t understand the reasons why more people don’t get involved. They are such great value.”
Russell is not afraid to get his hands dirty, and likes doing the smelly jobs that others are not so keen on, like turning the compost and taking care of pesky rats and snails! He also spearheaded the purchase and installation of the garden’s portaloo.
Erin joined Pentridge Community Garden in early 2019. She first got involved to be part of the community and to have somewhere to get her hands dirty, and has spent some time as a member of the Organising Committee as well.
“I live in a little apartment, so I am grateful to have an open space for me and the monster (dog) to run. It was a tough year last year, and this year has been weird. The people at PCG are part of my sanity.”
What does she like most about being involved? The wonderful people!
Jo has been involved with Pentridge Community Garden since the beginning! She has spent time on the Organising Committee, and is always ready to jump in and help with whatever needs to be done.
“The Pentridge Community Garden is literally on our doorstep so I got involved to make connections with my neighbourhood, help shape this brand new garden and to learn how to garden! I love the camaraderie and little community that exists at PCG. I’ve met neighbours and made friends over the years. I’ve also loved the good hard yakka that’s involved during the course of a gardening year and actually learning how to grow food!”