IT HAS been talked about for years and tried by many but finally the first sod of ground has been turned in the Rose City's new community garden.

After months of research, planning and collaboration, Warwick Collective and Southern Downs Steam Railway were thrilled to have Southern Downs MP Lawrence Springborg plant the first of many plants in the garden.

The Victory Garden, so named after the victory gardens of the great wars, will add another element of colour and community to the Southern Downs Steam Railway site on Hamilton St.

The garden is the vision of Warwick Collective president Julia Keogh, who said the concept of a community garden in Warwick had several starts in the past 20 years.

Ms Keogh said it wasn't until she spoke with her father, Bob Keogh, a founding member of Southern Downs Steam Railway, that they realised the two groups could work together to make the vision a reality.

"The Warwick Collective Inc were successful in gaining a grant in 2014 through the community gaming fund," she said.

"The Southern Downs Steam Railway Community Victory Garden will enrich the Warwick community by the creation of a productive and beautiful space that provides opportunities for volunteer participation, social enrichment, especially between generations, healthy eating promotion, gardening education and, potentially, tourism."

A chance conversation between a Bunnings Warwick activity organiser and Ms Keogh led to the hardware store coming on board to support the garden.

Store manager Debb Stevens said the community garden struck a chord with her.

"It's just something we're pretty passionate about, getting involved in the community," she said.

"It's a group exercise and shows community spirit.

"This is something we haven't seen in Warwick."

Speaking about the Victory Garden theme, Ms Keogh said it was a very fitting name for the project.

"Victory gardens (also called war gardens) were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted in Australia during the world wars," she said.

"They were used to reduce pressure on the public food supply and besides indirectly aiding the war effort.

"These gardens were also considered a civil morale booster in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labour and rewarded by the produce grown."

Following her passion for encouraging individual, group participation and business partnerships locally and regionally, Ms Keogh said she was looking forward to seeing the garden flourish.

"The Victory Garden will support life-long education and healthy living by encouraging residents to help each other, share ideas and produce," she said

"Involvement in the garden will provide volunteers with a sense of wellbeing and opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle."

For more information, or to get involved in the community garden, email warwickcollective @gmail.com or phone Julia on 0438 665 440.