Question 1

Who can join a cluster?

Accepted Answer

That's totally up to you and the neighbours who wish to join.

Our only requirement is that a cluster is close enough together to make this a neighbourly activity.

Part of that is because we want to keep costs down by delivering to a single address. Part of it is because we actively encourage social connection as a positive aspect of health and wellbeing. And part of it is because we support the environmental and health benefits of walking over the need to travel a longer distance to participate.

We're currently in our pilot phase, so leave your details and we'll reach out when we launch!

Question 2

I've never grown veggies. What do I need to know to help me get started?

Accepted Answer

Our Garden Party wants every aspiring veggie grower to succeed. For those who've never grown veggies before, the first thing to know is: it's not super hard! Sure, it's easy to make mistakes too. But you'll find veggie-growing quite a natural thing to do once you get over the fear of getting it wrong. Long story short - Our Garden Party is for everyone.

Regardless, support is available, and Our Garden Party offers it in two ways:

1. Expert advice. Along with delivering your seedlings and add-ons, we'll send an expert on the first party to run your cluster through the steps of getting started.

2. Peer support. Join our Facebook group. There you'll find all the other people using Our Garden Party and our gardening experts ready to answer your questions and applaud your progress.

But also know that you can email us at info@sustainabletaranaki.org.nz and we'll figure out how to give you the clarity and confidence you need.

Question 3

Some neighbours already have veggie gardens. Is this for them?

Accepted Answer

There aren't really any hard and fast rules. Our Garden Party is here to support veggie growing in neighbourhood clusters. It's up to your cluster to decide who to invite and include.

We work to provide whatever your cluster needs to make veggie growing easy, successful and rewarding.

Members of your cluster who need what we offer will subscribe to our packages and buy whatever add-ons they need.

Others in the cluster may already have everything they need, so there's no obligation for them to subscribe.

Question 4

What if I want extra help growing my gardening skills?

Accepted Answer

Over time we'll be offering workshops that address common problems and opportunities for veggie growers. It's early days for us, but please drop us a line with any requests you have – workshops aren't free, but our aim is to spread the costs among clusters.

Question 5

Who's making money out of this?

Accepted Answer

Our Garden Party is part of Sustainable Taranaki, a not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is that neighbours can connect in healthy ways, and veggie growing seems to be a popular, accessible way of doing that – and lots of research we've done confirms this.

We work to make sure all of the labour that goes into supplying and supporting Kiwi neighbour is paid for at a fair rate, so we're not a volunteer organisation. And we work to keep our operating expenses as low as possible, to ensure cost isn't a barrier to any Kiwi who wants to enjoy the benefits of gardening as a neighbourly activity.

Whatever profits that leaves are put straight back into the operation, in order to increase access and improve our ability to supply and support veggie growing clusters wherever they're wanted.

Question 6

How can I start a cluster?

Accepted Answer

Our Garden Party is in the pilot stage, however, when we're ready we'll reach out to those who have left their details.  All the feedback we're gathering, and observations we're making, will help us ensure that when we open new clusters, they'll be rewarding for the participants and manageable for our team.

What we'd love them to do is to join our waitlist – and we'd be grateful if you'd pass the link on to them:

Question 7

What's the minimum period I can subscribe to?

Accepted Answer

When you first join, it will be for 3 months. This give you a chance to sink your teeth in, and for us on the ordering, growing, and distribution side of things.

After that, subscriptions are paid monthly and can be cancelled with 2 months notice. If this means your cluster falls below the 3 household minimum, you're encouraged to invite your neighbours to join so the cluster can continue.

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