FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the purpose of a community garden?

As stated in the Curly Community Garden Plan of Management, the objectives of the garden are:

  • to establish a space that is welcoming and aesthetically pleasing where the community can grow food, learn, socialise and connect with nature
  • to educate members and the public about organic gardening practices, environmental issues and sustainability
  • to provide members with the opportunity to work together and share ideas about organic gardening at working bees
  • to encourage people to decrease waste by reducing, reusing and recycling
  • to provide a composting area where garden and community members can dispose of appropriate food waste
  • to create another option for garden members to source unpackaged, organic produce that has been grown sustainably and responsibly
  • to make connections between individuals and groups of different ages, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, races, religions, sexualities and genders to create a wider sense of community
Are individual plots available?

Individual plots are not available. All garden plots are shared (communal) to increase the amount of produce we grow and to encourage interaction between garden members.

How much does garden membership cost?

The cost of an annual garden membership (1 July to 30 June) is $35 for an individual and $50 for a household, at the discretion of the Management Committee. A small additional fee is charged for payments made by credit card to cover processing costs.


Check out our Membership page for more information about being a member of Curly Community Garden.

When are garden working bees held?

Garden working bees are held every Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00am (8:30 - 10:30am in summer) and every Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00pm.

What happens at the weekly working bees?

Weekly Working Bees are held to maintain the garden. They include activities such as compost & worm farm care, planting, mulching, pruning, pest control and weeding. Working bees are also when produce is harvested and shared between the members in attendance. Besides general garden maintenance, the working bees are a great opportunity to socialise with and learn from other garden members.


For more information, check out our Working Bees page.

Do I have to be a member to participate in the garden's working bees?

You are welcome to attend a working bee before deciding whether to join the garden. However, if you want to continue to participate at the garden, you need to become a member. This is so you can be covered under our garden's insurance policy and so we can easily communicate with you.

How often do members need to attend working bees?

According to our Member Guidelines, members are encouraged to attend at least 12 working bees a year per year and are welcome to attend as often as they like. However, we also welcome members who can attend less frequently than this or who may be away for extended periods.

I'd like to participate at the garden but I'm unavailable to attend during the scheduled working bee times. How can I get involved?

Unfortunately, garden maintenance and harvest occurs during the two weekly working bees. At this point, the only other way to get involved between working bees is to join the garden's watering roster. This involves being part of a team of garden members who take turns watering the garden between working bees, generally about once a fortnight.

Do I need to attend an orientation before participating at working bees?

New members are expected to attend a formal Garden Orientation session, which are held the first Saturday of every month, after the working bee, and periodically during a Wednesday afternoon working bee. However, new members are welcome to participate at working bees before attending an orientation session.

What do you do with the produce grown at the garden?

Harvesting takes place during the weekly working bees, with produce shared between those members in attendance. 


Unfortunately, we do not grow enough to sell or give away any produce.

How much harvest will I get when I attend a working bee?

The amount of produce you get will vary a lot, depending on the season and how many other members are at the working bee. There are usually a lot of herbs and greens, but other produce is more variable. Unless you don't eat a lot of veggies, you will still need to make a weekly trip to the fruit & veg shop!

Do I have to be a member to participate in the garden's community compost program?

Anyone is welcome to participate in the compost program, provided you follow the composting guidelines that are found on the Composting page.

Are organic gardening practices used?

Organic gardening practices have been adopted for all garden beds, including the Food Forest. Only products approved for organic growing are used.


This is because organic gardening:

  • reduces risks to gardener health from exposure to pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers when handling plants and eating produce,
  • reduces the risk of contaminating garden soils with synthetic chemicals, and
  • reduces the risk of contaminating the nearby lagoon and ocean with contaminated runoff.

Organic gardening practices include:

  • building healthy, fertile soil, using compost and organic fertilisers to provide nutrients
  • choosing quality plants and seeds, including heirloom, locally adapted and/or disease resistant varieties
  • practicing crop rotation to disrupt insect infestation and reduce soil-borne diseases
  • companion planting, which involves growing plants together that have a mutually beneficial relationship
  • planting flowers that attract beneficial insects to help control pest populations and increase pollination
  • encouraging species diversity by planting native plants and creating habitats for native animals
  • controlling weeds through regular hand weeding, thick mulching and the use of groundcover plants
  • minimising plant diseases by removing dead and diseased plant materials regularly
  • controlling pests through physical barriers such as nets, bags and egg shells, and by using traps and hand picking
  • using organic insecticides such as eco-oil as a last resort for extreme pest infestations
Are those three greenhouses and that huge shed part of the garden?

No, the greenhouses and huge shed are part of the Northern Beaches Council's Community Nursery, where native Australian plants are propagated.

Curly Community Garden only comprises the northern half of the bowling green.