Green thumbs get together and enjoy the Hills Organic Garden at Bunya

Tucked away from a passing traffic point of view, this garden is a vibrant centre for green thumbs and organic fruit and vegetable lovers.

The Hills Organic Garden is a community venture where volunteers work together to grow a chemical-free harvest they can share.

John Nedwich has been a member now going on four years, he enjoys the social side of the community garden equally as much as the gardening itself.

“We have 25 or 26 members and they’re all good, hardworking people and they like to hop in (to work in the garden),” John says.

“You can come up here and grab a few beans, cucumbers or tomatoes and know they’re fresh and haven’t been sprayed with chemicals.”

According to John, when the strawberries are in season, you can pick three or four tub of strawberries every couple of days. He takes pride in sharing the berries with his neighbourhood.

“Members can come up (to the garden) during the week when they have an hour or two to spare and water the gardens and plant something,” he says.

On the site, given by Moreton Bay Regional Council at Bunya Rd, Bunya, the community has six wicking beds, 11 ground level beds and two trellis beds, with plans to add more.

John says they grow carrots, beetroot, snow peas, chilli, tamarillos, rosellas and much more.

Members walk around the gardens most of the Sundays and harvest what's available.

The fruits and vegetables of their labour are then placed on a table for all to share.

“I just like planting and watching stuff grow and working to be one step ahead of pests and diseases,” John says. “It’s a relaxing place to come to and it’s very peaceful to potter around.”

His love of working in the garden dates back to his days as a Gympie schoolboy when his teacher would take his class out to the garden to potter about each afternoon.

The community Hills Organic Garden has a street library at Fernlands Village shopping centre in Ferny Hills with gardening books. Work days are held most Sundays, and becoming a member costs $15 a year.

Visit hog.org.au, check for updates and to apply for membership in The Hills 'Organic' Garden — Community Garden on Facebook or call 0407 582 980.