Grow Lightly Grower- in Loch, SG

I recently visited Garry, a local Grower in Loch who kindly gave me a tour of his vegie patch and as we wandered up and down the rows, he gave a tour describing what he was growing at the moment and his plans for future crops.

We enjoyed talking about growing different varieties, success from past seasonal crops, the local growing conditions, rainfall, gum trees and their impact on different neighbouring plants, and all the different flavours of citrus fruit he has.

Speaking of citrus, I was very excited to learn that Garry has a Yuzu tree (citrus junos), a highly aromatic, East Asian citrus, renowned in Japan and Korea for it's juice and rind, a wonderful addition to drinks, cakes, preserves and the like. It is quite sour and rarely eaten raw.

The plant is still establishing but there is signs of fruit, which are still yet to turn yellow and that was very exciting to see. Have you tried the popular Korean drink Yuja-cha or Yuzu, Honey citron tea? It looks a bit like a jar of marmalade, and you add some to some hot water for a delicious hot drink without any caffeine , which is especially good for if you have a cold or flu as the vitamin c and honey can help to soothe a sore throat.

A large gum tree stands at the edge of Garry's vegie garden and he is careful as to which plants he has put in that area.

Gum trees are known to be thirsty trees and often take most of the water in that surrounding area, something to consider when planting out your own garden or vegie patch.

Trees of course provide beneficial things too, especially shade, which is essential for some varieties of plants you might be growing in a vegie garden.

Garry's vegie garden showed signs on clever pest deterrents too, such as the use of protective cages and netting over young seedlings, and fruiting plants.

A great demonstration that you do not need to use harmful synthetic pesticides and fertilisers in your vegie garden.

Grow Lightly requires all growers and producers to sign a Growers' Charter, which can be found HERE on our website which outlines the dedication of our producers to growing by organic practices whether certfied or not, and all product listings on our weekly online shop, show the status for each item as well as the location and producer name so you know where your food has come from, who grew it, and how.

Local food security matters so much in our lives, and having that access is vital for our community.

If you're interested in becoming a grower or producer, get in touch with us via email at info@growlightly.com.au

If you'd like to support the work that Grow Lightly does, consider becoming a member, through an annual membership, which can be purchased in our weekly online SHOP, during open hours. Membership is not essential to shop with Grow Lightly, but goes a long way to helping the operation continue as a not-for-profit local enterprise.

Memebership also allows you to have your say at our AGM, which will be held in August for 2026.