Mandurah Community Gardens Featured on The Garden Gurus!

We are thrilled to share that Mandurah Community Gardens was recently featured on The Garden Gurus! The episode highlights our recent collaboration with the Grow It Local team during their national tour.
​
In this segment, Paul West (co-founder of Grow It Local) and the Gurus team discuss the incredible benefits of our space—from getting your hands dirty and connecting with the seasons to the powerful impact on mental health and community spirit [00:49]. Whether you are an experienced green thumb or have never picked up a trowel, the video showcases how our garden is a place for everyone to "soak up the space" and learn together [02:05].

​Grow It Local
Grow It Local is a community-driven initiative designed to get more people growing, sharing, and eating locally grown food. Co-founded by Paul West (River Cottage Australia), the platform connects over 40,000 "patch-to-plate" gardeners across Australia. Whether you have a massive backyard or just a few pots on a windowsill, they provide the inspiration and education needed to help your garden thrive.

• Website: growitlocal.com
• What they do: Offer a "seed service" with seasonal organic seeds, host digital workshops, and provide a community map where you can see what’s growing in your neighborhood

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to the Sage Family. The Chia leaves are high in protein and nutrients, and are therefore a valuable addition to your salad or stir fry. The leaves can also be used fresh or dried to make an antioxidant tea. The Chia plant is mostly grown for its seeds but you would need to grow a lot of plants. The Chia plant can be grown from Chia Seeds from the supermarket and are one of the easiest seeds to grow Chia Sprouts. The Chia plant with purple flowers produces black seeds and the one with white flowers produces white seeds. Both have the same nutritional value. 

CAN CHIA GROW IN PERTH?
Chia doesn’t like frost - but our climate from September through to March is plenty warm enough. Chia needs a long season to produce seed, however, the leaves can be harvested at any time.

PLANTING GUIDE
Choose a spot that receives full sun and has good drainage. Full sun is very important. The plant grows best near the equator where the days are longer, and yet they are considered desert plants so, just like many sage plants, ensure that the soil has good drainage. Prepare the soil as you would for other plants, breaking it up and adding plenty of organic matter. Don’t be shy about adding the extra nutrients when preparing the soil. Once the plants are established you won’t need to add fertilizer. 

WHEN AND HOW TO PLANT SEEDS 
If planting seeds directly into the soil or pot, plant in early September. It will take about 3-14 days to germinate. The plant should flower about 3-4 months after planting the seed. Then allow another month before harvesting the seeds. Scatter the tiny seeds over the surface of the soil and then rake the earth over them carefully. The seeds do not need to be placed very deep in the soil. Water them lightly and daily until the plants are growing strongly. Gradually thin out the seedlings until you have approx. 12-18 inches between plants. Chia does not like to be crowded. 
Chia can be grown in a large pot approx. 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Chia can grow up to 1.5m. 

WATERING
Once the plants are established Chia doesn't need to be kept moist at all times, but they certainly need a drink at least every few days. When their leaves start to droop a little, water them. Mature chia plants can tolerate some dry periods. 
​
HARVESTING SEEDS
Chia seeds are easy to harvest from slightly dried flower heads. As the pretty purple or white flowers of the chia stalk start to dry, they will lose their petals. This is the ideal time to harvest. Don't wait until the flower browns, as this will compromise the harvest. You can harvest the leaves for salads and stir fry at any time. Cut the stalk from the plant and layer it onto a drying rack. Alternatively, you can store your stalks in a paper or cotton bag so that it dries fully. What’s considered an amount of “fully dry” time will depend on the climate. Once they are fully dried, they can be crushed and separated.

• Chia tea, made with a few, freshly chopped or dried leaves, for anyone feeling lethargic or lacking energy. Chia contains several very strong antioxidants that help to remove toxins from the body, which then give a feeling of improved health.
• Eat chia leaves in salad or use as a spinach alternative. 
• Add fresh leaves and seeds to smoothies.
• Use Chia seeds as an egg replacement in things like pancakes and meatballs. To substitute 1 egg, soak 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of water.
• Make Chia Water (a high fibre drink) by soaking only 10 grams of seed in water for about 20 minutes. You can add some lemon or lime for extra flavour. Or replace the water with freshly squeezed orange juice. 
• Chia Pudding. Make with water, juice or milk and you can add vanilla or cocoa. Just add extra seeds to create a pudding texture. Blending the pudding will give a smoother texture. Chia pudding can be used as a dessert or served like oats for breakfast. Just top with nuts, fruit or cinnamon. 
• Use chia seeds to replace breadcrumb coatings on meat or fish. Blend the seeds into a fine powder and use like breadcrumbs.
• Make Chia Jam. Chia seeds thicken the jam without needing sugar. Usually the fruit is enough to sweeten the jam unless you use a tart fruit, then you only need a teaspoon of sweetener. You can also use Chia seeds to thicken any jam.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups of fruit - fresh or frozen
2 Tablespoons of chia seeds

METHOD

• Heat fruit over a medium heat until it starts to break down. Mash with a spoon or potato masher until it reaches the desired consistency. No harm in leaving a few chunks instead of having a completely smooth jam.
• Add the chia seeds and stir until fully combined. Remove from heat. The jam will begin to thicken very quickly as it cools. 
• After just 5 minutes you have a jam. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate. The jam will last about 1 week. 
• Replace flour with chia seeds to thicken soups and stews.

Chia Seeds Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients With Very Few Calories. In fact, “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.”

About 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of chia seeds contains:
- Fibre: 11 grams.
- Protein: 4 grams.
- Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are omega-3s).
- Calcium: 18% of the RDI.
- Manganese: 30% of the RDI.
- Magnesium: 30% of the RDI.
- Phosphorus: 27% of the RDI.
- They also contain a decent amount of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2.

Benefits of Chia:

• Chia Seeds Are Loaded With Antioxidants
• Almost all the Carbs in them are Fiber
• Chia Seeds Are High in Quality Protein
• The High Fiber and Protein Content in Chia Seeds May Help You Lose Weight
• Chia Seeds Are High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Chia Seeds May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
• They’re High in Many Important Bone Nutrients
• Chia Seeds May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
• They May Reduce Chronic Inflammation
• Chia Seeds Are Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet (you can add seeds to anything)

​We're incredibly excited to share some special recipes created by one of our frequent and talented young visitors, Charlee (11y/o), and her mother, Kellee! Charlee and Kellee are great friends of Mandurah Community Gardens (MCG), and we were thrilled when they offered to share some of Charlee's original creations, especially those using bush tucker and other unique plants growing in our garden.

​Charlee is already a recognised expert—she's even been featured at the Mandurah Crab Festival! Her passion for fresh, local ingredients, and her unique culinary pairings are truly inspiring.

We send a huge thank you to Charlee and her mum Kellee for sharing these wonderful recipes with the MCG community! Their dedication to using fresh, seasonal, and unique ingredients is an inspiration to all of us.

Give these recipes a try using fresh ingredients from your own garden or from a visit to MCG!

This simple and fresh salad is elevated by the inclusion of beautiful borage flowers— a great way to add a pop of colour and a cucumber-like flavour!

Ingredients:

• Parsley
• Tomatoes
• Borage flowers
• Chives

Method:

1. Finely chop the parsley, tomatoes, and chives.
2. Place the chopped ingredients into a bowl with the borage flowers.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy this garden-fresh delight!

A fiery and fragrant seasoning blend that’s perfect for adding a kick to your favourite meals.

Ingredients:

• Fresh sage
• Fresh chillies
• Salt flakes

Method:

1. Dehydrate the chillies and sage in a dehydrator until completely dry.
2. Place all ingredients into a blender.
3. Blend for just 3-5 pulses—you want a coarse mix, not a fine powder!
4. Enjoy: Sprinkle on pizzas, stir into soups, or use on eggs and grilled vegetables.

This is a fantastic recipe for using up edible leaves that often go overlooked! Both choko leaves (cut in half) and nasturtium leaves (cut in half) are great sources of vitamins and have a subtle peppery flavour.

Ingredients:

• Fresh choko leaves (cut in half)
• Fresh nasturtium leaves (cut in half)
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Using a dehydrator, dehydrate the leaves for approximately 5 hours or until they are completely dry and crispy.
2. Place all ingredients (dried leaves, salt, and pepper) into a blender.
3. Blitz until the mix turns powdery.
4. Pour the seasoning into a bowl or jar for storage.
5. Use it: Stir into pasta sauces, sprinkle over mash potato, or use it as a special seasoning in an egg salad!

Mandurah Community Gardens was buzzing with energy thanks to an incredible volunteer effort by the Electrical Maintenance White End Shift A and C teams from Alcoa. Not only did the team arrive ready to tackle an ambitious list of maintenance tasks, but their expertise and immense generosity helped us overcome a critical operational challenge.

​Upon arrival, the Alcoa team, led by Henry Naude, noticed our volunteers were struggling, having to use buckets to water plants and flush toilets. A quick investigation revealed that the main water booster pump, crucial for the property’s water supply, had failed.

In an astonishing display of community commitment, the team immediately took action. They received approval from their site, sourced a new pump locally, and professionally installed it, fully restoring our water supply. But their generosity didn't end there—the Alcoa team later settled the ~$800 invoice for the pump. This immediate support eased a massive financial and operational burden for the garden team.

The team's impressive list of completed tasks included:

• Cleaning gutters on all buildings (removing accumulated debris).
• Clearing overgrown areas and creating a vital safe firebreak.
• Repairing wooden gates and fences.
• Constructing the unique Alcoa Arch.
• Mulching around gardens and buildings for improved water retention.
• Repairing damaged signage.

The garden's team, including Cheryl, expressed their sincere appreciation for the teamwork and community spirit shown by every volunteer.

Participating Team Members: Wayde Mainard, Henry Naude, Michael Williams, Dylan Sexton, Tia Bathgate, Phil Richardson, Darren Sivyer, and Korbin Mainard.

​We invite everyone to call in on a Saturday morning to see the incredible work for yourself, especially the magnificent Alcoa Arch!

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Local Legend, Cheryl Ivey! 

We are absolutely bursting with pride to share that Cheryl has been recognised by the City of Mandurah with the prestigious Local Legend Award! This award celebrates individuals and groups who make a real difference in the city through actions like volunteering, mentoring, caring for others, or bringing people together. That description is Cheryl to a tee!

At the recent Council meeting, Mayor Amber Kearns personally presented the award, highlighting Cheryl’s incredible, connecting contributions at both the Mandurah Community Gardens and the Lakelands Community Garden. 

Mayor Kearns beautifully described Cheryl as a quiet achiever—always working tirelessly to create a stronger, more connected, and inclusive community through countless acts of kindness and support. Her dedication truly is an inspiration.

Whenever there is an event to organise, or networking with other groups and organisations, or promoting Mandurah Community Gardens by manning stalls at shopping centres or events — Cheryl has done it.

Even most of the photos that are provided for promotions, Facebook posts and for this website, along with their back stories, are from Cheryl. She encourages members to get involved and to feel welcome. In fact, Cheryl is a such a big supporter of so many social and environmental movements that it is difficult to list them all, but you can be sure that wherever the heart is, there you will find Cheryl!

Well done, Cheryl, on this well-deserved honour! We are so lucky to have you. 

There was a great response to the Facebook post...

Last Sunday on the 5th October, we had the pleasure of co-hosting a wonderful event, "Nature's Remedy: Boost Your Mental Health," in collaboration with the Mandurah Environment & Heritage Group. It was an incredible day dedicated to celebrating the powerful connection between nature and well-being.

​Our Coodanup Community Gardens were buzzing with activity as we welcomed families for guided tours and hands-on workshops. It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces as participants got their hands dirty, planting seedlings and learning about the benefits of gardening for both the earth and our minds.

​We've received some truly heart-warming feedback from attendees who shared how much they enjoyed their time in the gardens. It's a wonderful reminder of how our green space serves as a peaceful retreat for the community.

​A special thank you to the Mandurah Environment & Heritage Group for inviting us to be a part of this important event, and to all of our dedicated volunteers whose hard work and passion made the day a resounding success.

​In the 21 and over category, the top prize went to Ebony! Her entry was a testament to creativity and storytelling. The macrame hanger she created featured beads spelling out "community pizza garden," and she included charming figurines—one climbing a ladder to harvest cherry tomatoes and another tending to a small pond that filled to water plantings of oregano, thyme, nasturtium, and capsicum. It was a complete miniature world, and we were absolutely captivated!

Mandurah Community Gardens has been picked for this year's Community Raffle project which is run by our local Halls Head Community Bank who have continued to be great supporters of the gardens over the years.
​
This fantastic opportunity allows MCG to raise money  through the sales of raffle tickets with wonderful prizes provided by Bendigo Bank.

Tickets are only $5 each and available to purchase from Mandurah Community Gardens during open hours or by asking any Mandurah Community Gardens member who is participating in selling tickets.

Read the Terms & Conditions here

​Volunteering is great way to get involved in the running of the community garden, and to be involved in making decisions that affect how the garden grows.

Taking on a role at the garden provides you with the opportunity to use and share the skills you have gained from your life experience and to build up your knowledge while learning new skills. Being involved in the club provides everyone with an opportunity to make friends, and provide an active purpose in your life by contributing to, and doing something that really benefits the local community.

Ideally, we would welcome the positions being taken up by current members. We are also open to considering anyone who lives locally and is not currently a member of MCG. All positions will have training provided for their roles, with support from the committee members. For current members, or those who would like to become a member; if you are willing to put in some time each week to help run the garden, you can qualify for free yearly membership to Mandurah Community Gardens.

For more information, please Email Jenny at info@mandurahcommunitygardens.com.au or Cheryl at events@mandurahcommunitygardens.com.au.

VOLUNTEER ROLES AVAILABLE

GARDEN COORDINATOR'S TEAM
Volunteer to become a member of our Garden Coordinator's Team to help manage the garden.
​
​EVENT COORDINATOR'S TEAM
Get involved to help our Events Team to plan, prepare and help set up for workshops and other events at the garden.