URBAN AGRICULTURE MONTH: Creative Corners Community Garden

Hidden in plain site, this guerilla verge garden has evolved over 5 years, demonstrating basic permaculture principals to passersby, and slowly enriching the soil and biodiversity of an abandoned railway corridor. The area has been hand-weeded along 75 metres of roadside verge & planted out using seasonal seed saving techniques, cuttings and native plants from the Wollongong Botanic Gardens.

There is no water on site, so all plants must survive the summers by growing their roots deep. Local compost is made and used as mulch. Weeds are chopped n dropped, neighbours donate their grass clippings and hedge clippings as mulch, and hungry chickens help to keep the Trad down.

Bees, birds, worms and bugs are encouraged to populate the garden areas. Herbs, flowers, fruit trees and vegetables tumble past each other along the north-facing verge and companion plant inadvertently! There is not a straight line in site.

Austinmer artists Imogen Ross and Louise Manner have collaborated creatively with local families to paint a large fence mural that tells the story of the large 80yr old oak tree on the corner as well as creating a stunning plastic flower garden on the railway fence nearby.

Come and visit this beautiful verge garden anytime with your kids and get inspired about combining public art, up-cycled sculpture and plants on your street! See if you can find a ripe strawberry, identify native spinach (Warrigal Greens) and spot the wild cucumbers.

Parking is available on Railway Avenue or Austinmer Street.

Public transport is 5mins walk away on Moore St or Austinmer Railway station. Cycling and walking are always encouraged.

Austinmer Beach is 5mins walk away for a swim after.

URBAN AGRICULTURE MONTH

Urban Agriculture Month (UAM) is co-ordinated yearly by Sustain: The Australian Food Network, a think and do network connecting passionate people like you to build tangible change. Urban Agriculture Month encourages enthusiastic gardeners, activisits, farmers, researchers and consumers from around Australia come together to celebrate and promote urban agriculture as an important part of community resilience and well-being. Click here for more information