Our Story

Joe's Market Garden is a 2.5 acre farm that sits on the banks of the Merri Creek in Coburg. It is the last surviving urban farm of what was seven Chinese Market Garden established on the Merri Creek banks in the late 1800s.

Of great importance, the Wurundjeri people lived sustainably along these flood plains for many centuries before migrant occupation, growing and harvesting native vegetables such as the yam daisy or murrnong. The Wurundjeri observed the natural cycles and worked in harmony with nature. They did not have 4 seasons, beginning on specific dates, but rather their seasons were understood using natural cues, such as when the wattle began blooming.

Today the space is named Joe's Market Garden, after Joe Garita. It is a place to gather where the community can feel safe to enjoy food, music and friendship and where our community can engage with the crops in exchange for their veggies, whether it is through the Farm Gate, local restaurants, Fair Food veggie boxes and online store, healthy food school lunch programs, volunteering or myriad of activities and events.

Visiting Joe's can provide countless opportunities including:

- The Heartbeet Cafe
- Weed Dating
- Merri Merri Kids Club and Bush Play
- Shiatsu in the Garden

So come on down and say hello, enjoy a coffee, organise an event or simple re-connect with Wurundjeri country and our great produce.

All produce grown At Joe's is certified organic.