Asked what she would do without the community garden at Poet’s Corner near her home in Sydney’s Redfern, Paula Le said she’d spend more time alone, stuck in a small unit without enough light to support a pot plant.

For Jan Chamberlain of Strathfield, who volunteers at community gardens across Sydney, not being able to garden would be an emotional loss, considering the memories she has of her Aunty Rose floating frangipanis in water and her mother planting trees.

Paula Le (left) and Phil Pettitt from the community greening program with volunteer Jan Chamberlain. Paula and Jan both use the community garden within their complexes. Credit: Janie Barrett

Phil Pettitt, who manages the Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s community greening project, which includes those at 600 Homes NSW properties,

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