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Choose vegetable varieties with characteristics that work for your climate and garden conditions. Some have smaller plants suitable for containers, or offer better disease resistance or heat- or cold-tolerance.

Have a soil test done to find out what nutrients are already in the soil. If it needs more, fertilize with a water-soluble organic product or granular organic fertilizer before or after planting.

The ACT Government in partnership with Grow It Local are offering free heirloom seeds to the first 100 people to register online with Grow It Local this month. 

Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti said the initiative will help more Canberrans be part of growing local food, as part of the Government’s goal  to encourage more home and community gardens in the territory. 

“The ACT is heavily reliant on food produced interstate.” Minister Vassarotti said. 

“Food production in community gardens, and even our own gardens at home, can contribute significantly to building a community that is happier, healthier and more knowledgeable about issues like food waste and the climate impacts of food production. 

“There are 100 free packets of seeds to give away, which includes Japanese mizuna, chives and radish so Canberrans can make their favourite dishes at home, using these ingredients. This year’s theme is ‘from patch to primavera’, so the ingredients will help you make pasta primavera like a pro.  

“Those who register with the free Grow it Local program get access to valuable resources about soil preparation, seed sowing, planting, plant maintenance and harvesting. They will also receive information on local growing guides and how to connect to Canberra’s vibrant local food and gardening groups. 

“This tool is a great starting point for many Canberrans wanting to grow food in their own garden, particularly those who are new to food gardening and want to give it a try for the first time. 

“It includes instructional videos for each stage in the patch-to-plate process featuring grow-along guide with gardener Casey Lister. 

“This initiative is another tool to support the draft Canberra Region Local Food Strategy, which builds and strengthens access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.” 

The ACT Government partnered with Grow it Local in June 2023, to support the government’s key objectives to divert food waste, sustainability, resilience, community engagement and capacity building. 

The free seed offer is available until 2 November, or when seed packets run out. Seed packets will be mailed to recipients in November. 

For more information and to register, visit the Grow it Local website. 

Visit YourSay for more information on the Draft Canberra Region Local Food Strategy. Consultation is open until 20 October 2023. 

Source: greens.org.au