STRAWBERRIES, spinach and chives are among the fresh produce shoppers can pick free of charge from the Mezz Shopping Centre’s community herb garden.
Julian Rose, director of Osborne Park business Deep Green Landscaping, said he and his colleague Nicholee spent about a month in consultation with Hawaiian Investments about the design and planning of the market garden, which includes fruit, vegetables and herbs, which opened at the end of March.
He said it was established to encourage a community feel as well as interest in the shopping centre.
“We are noticing that all the herbs are being picked and the fruit disappeared very quickly off the trees once it was ripe,” Mr Rose said.
“We hope that people will respect the garden and learn about community sharing and interacting together to the benefit of the whole community.”
He said the public were encouraged to pick the herbs carefully, so the main plant remained, and take only what they needed.
Hawaiian Investments director Evan Briers said he welcomed the whole community to come and pick their own herbs, fruit and vegetables at no cost while they were visiting the shopping centre.