FOR more than a decade Vashti Aratangi has been a passionate gardener but the recent lockdowns in Victoria have seen her garden develop to the next level.
Every inch of the Red Cliffs resident’s front and backyard has been utilised to make an edible garden.
“During that first lockdown I was worried about getting to the shops so it was the best thing ever to grow the edible garden,” she said.
“Currently I have winter veggies; kale, silver beet, snow peas, herbs, strawberry plants and raspberry plants.
“I have utilised every part of space in my front and back yards to grow food with my theory that if I am going to use water on my lawn, then I want to be able to eat (the produce).”
Ms Aratangi said it was curiosity that first sparked her passion.
“When my son was about two, we had a neighbour across the road that had this massive garden. I would walk past his garden all the time and was amazed at what he could grow,” she said.
“He began sharing with me what he was growing and I had the idea to do it myself.
“At the time I was in a two-bedroom unit and didn’t have a whole lot of space to grow much, I had enough room in my backyard to test the waters.”
Since then, Ms Aratangi has moved and now has plenty of space to grow a whole lot more vegetables, herbs and fruit.
While she has always been willing to share her produce and extra seeds with family and friends, Ms Aratangi has recently taken to sharing them with the broader community.
“I thought how cool would it be that I could set up a seed box that people could put in their excess seeds and I can share with others any seeds they may need,” she said.
“I had a friend create that box which allowed for me to share some of the excess seeds that I have got, which allowed people to help themselves and swap with some of the seeds they have got.
“The concept of seed sharing is more than just sharing seeds, for me it’s been a spiritual journey, I look at it as a way of planting seeds of hope in people’s hearts, especially during this time through lockdown.
“More than ever I really believe that not just sharing seeds but also sharing food and knowledge has the power to create a strong and resilient community.”
Ms Aratangi hoped others would be inspired to build their own edible gardens with the seeds available at her stall held at the monthly Red Cliffs Country Market.
“There are therapeutic benefits, health benefits and there are financial benefits,” she said.
“It’s always been my dream and the end goal is to encourage others to grow their own gardens.”
Ms Aratangi is encouraging anyone interested in collecting, swapping or donating seeds to contact her via email at vashtiarata198315@gmail.com.
