Got a question about JOTE? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re thinking about joining, wondering how garden beds work, interested in Garden & Gather, or simply want to visit and learn more, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions below.
🌱 Question 1 — What is JOTE?
Joy of the Earth Community Garden (JOTE) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run community garden in Frankston where people come together to grow food, learn, connect and belong.
We’re passionate about sustainable gardening, community connection, health and wellbeing, and creating an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome.
📍 Question 2 — Where are we located?
JOTE is located on Joy Street in Frankston, Victoria, on public land managed by Frankston City Council.
For location and information about getting in touch, visit our Contact Us page.
💚 Question 3 — Who can join?
Everyone is welcome! Membership is open to individuals, families, community groups and businesses who support JOTE’s values of community, sustainability and respectful shared use of our garden.
We offer Garden Bed Membership, Social Membership and Group or Business Membership.
🌻 Interested in joining? Visit our Membership page to learn more and submit an application.
🌱 Do I need gardening experience to join?
Not at all! No gardening experience is needed to become part of JOTE.
Our members range from complete beginners to experienced gardeners, and sharing knowledge and learning from one another is part of what makes the garden special.
🌻 Come as you are — you can learn as you grow.
🪴 What types of membership are available?
JOTE offers several membership options so you can choose the one that suits you:
🪴 Individual Garden Bed Membership — $80 per year
Your own garden bed plus access to JOTE activities, events and our gardening community.
👥 Group or Business Garden Bed Membership — $90 per year
A garden bed membership for community groups, organisations or local businesses.
🌱 Additional Garden Bed — $30 per year
Available to existing garden-bed members, subject to availability.
💚 Social Membership — $20 per year
No garden bed required! Join our Garden & Gather sessions, workshops, events and social activities and be part of the JOTE community.
🌻 Ready to join? Visit our Membership page for more information and to submit an application.
🌿 Do I need a garden bed to become a member?
No! You can become a Social Member and enjoy being part of JOTE without having your own garden bed.
Social members are welcome to participate in Garden & Gather, workshops, events, community projects and social activities.
💚 It’s a great option if you want to connect with the JOTE community without the responsibility of maintaining your own garden bed.
🪴 Is there a waiting list for garden beds?
Sometimes. When all garden beds are allocated, new applicants can be added to our waiting list.
We’ll contact you when a suitable bed becomes available.
💚 You don’t need to wait for a garden bed to become part of JOTE! You can join as a Social Member and participate in Garden & Gather, workshops, events and other JOTE activities while you wait.
💰 How much does membership cost?
Our current annual membership fees are:
🪴 Individual Garden Bed Membership — $80 per year
👥 Group or Business Garden Bed Membership — $90 per year
🌱 Additional Garden Bed — $30 per year
💚 Social Membership — $20 per year
Membership fees help support JOTE’s garden infrastructure, shared facilities, community activities and ongoing development.
For full details, visit our Membership page.
🚪 What are the garden’s opening hours?
Public visits are by appointment or during advertised JOTE events and Open Days.
Our regular Garden & Gather sessions are held fortnightly, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays.
🌻 Want to visit us? Check our Workshops page for upcoming activities, or Contact Us to arrange a visit.
🌱 What is Garden & Gather? Do I have to attend?
Garden & Gather is JOTE’s regular community gardening session — a chance to get together, care for our shared spaces and enjoy some social time in the garden.
Sessions are held fortnightly, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays, and may include garden maintenance, seasonal planting, composting, community projects and general garden improvements.
🌱 Garden bed members are expected to participate in at least six Garden & Gather sessions each year.
💚 Social members are also warmly encouraged to join in — it’s one of the best ways to meet other members and become part of the JOTE community.
👧 Can children attend the garden?
Absolutely. Children are welcome at JOTE when accompanied and appropriately supervised by a responsible adult.
🌻 We may also offer family-friendly activities, workshops and events throughout the year. Check our Workshops page to see what’s coming up.
🌿 Is the garden organic?
We follow organic, sustainable and environmentally responsible gardening practices. Synthetic pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals that may affect our soil, wildlife, pollinators or neighbouring garden beds are not permitted.
🐝 We’re committed to creating a healthy garden for people, plants and pollinators.
🥕 What happens to surplus produce?
Produce grown in individual garden beds belongs to the member caring for that bed.
Surplus produce from shared growing areas and donation beds may be shared within the JOTE community or donated to support our local community.
💚 JOTE proudly donates surplus produce and pantry items to Bayside Community Collective, helping fresh garden produce and pantry essentials reach people in our local community.
🌱 Where possible, we love seeing surplus produce put to good use rather than going to waste.
🛠️ Are tools provided?
Yes. JOTE has a range of shared garden tools and equipment available for members to use while working in the garden.
🛠️ Members are welcome to bring their own tools if they prefer.
🌱 We ask everyone to use shared equipment responsibly, clean it where needed and return it to its designated storage area after use.
🌻 How is the garden managed?
JOTE is a volunteer-run incorporated community organisation, managed by an elected Committee and supported by our wonderful members, volunteers and community partners.
The Committee oversees the garden’s day-to-day operation, membership, safety, finances, projects, events and governance.
💚 Members also play an important role in shaping JOTE and helping our community garden thrive.
👋 Can I visit before joining?
Absolutely! If you’re thinking about joining JOTE, you’re welcome to get in touch and arrange a visit, or come along to one of our advertised community events or Open Days.
🌻 It’s a great opportunity to see the garden, meet some of our members and ask questions before deciding whether JOTE is right for you.
Visit our Contact Us page to arrange a visit, or check our Workshops page to see what’s coming up.
👥 Can community groups or schools use the garden?
Yes — we love connecting with our wider community.
Community groups, schools and other organisations may be able to visit JOTE, participate in activities or explore opportunities to work with us, subject to availability and prior approval.
🤝 We also welcome enquiries about community partnerships, group activities, educational opportunities and collaborative projects.
Interested? Please visit our Contact Us page and get in touch.
🙋 Can I volunteer at JOTE without having a garden bed?
Yes! You don’t need your own garden bed to get involved with JOTE.
Our Social Membership is a great option for people who want to participate in Garden & Gather sessions, workshops, events and community activities without maintaining their own garden bed.
💚 Visit our Membership page to find out more about becoming part of the JOTE community.
📧 How do I contact the committee?
We’d love to hear from you!
For membership enquiries, garden questions, community partnerships, visits or general feedback, please get in touch through our Contact Us page or email the JOTE Committee at joyoftheearth@gmail.com.
🌻 We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
♻️ What can I put in the community garden compost?
JOTE’s composting system helps turn garden and food waste into something valuable for our garden. 🌱
You can compost:
🍎 Fruit and vegetable scraps
☕ Tea leaves and coffee grounds
🍂 Dried leaves
🌾 Straw or hay
📄 Torn non-glossy paper
📦 Torn cardboard
Please do not add:
🚫 Meat, fish or bones
🚫 Dairy products
🚫 Oils or cooked food
🚫 Plastic or packaging
🚫 Diseased plant material
🚫 Pet waste
🌻 Please follow the signage at our compost bays, as accepted materials may vary depending on how our composting system is being managed.
♻️ When can I access the compost?
Public: Small quantities of personal household compost may be dropped off when JOTE is open to the public, during advertised events, or by prior arrangement.
Members: Members may use the compost bays when accessing the garden in accordance with JOTE’s usual member access arrangements.
🌱 Please follow the signage at the compost bays and only add accepted materials.
🍎 Can my restaurant or organisation contribute food waste?
Thanks for thinking of JOTE! At this stage, our community composting system only has capacity to manage small, personal quantities of compostable material.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to accept commercial quantities of food waste from restaurants, businesses or organisations.
♻️ This helps us keep our composting system manageable, healthy and suitable for the garden.
🌻 Still have a question?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? We’re always happy to help.
💚 Visit our Contact Us page or email us at joyoftheearth@gmail.com and a member of the JOTE team will get back to you.
We’d love to hear from you!
