JOIN THE ILLAWARRA EDIBLE GARDEN TRAIL!
We’ve got some exciting news! Food Fairness Illawarra will host the second Illawarra Edible Garden Trail on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2024 from 10am-3pm. This event is sponsored by Gilly’s Kitchen Garden.
WHAT IS AN EDIBLE GARDEN TRAIL?
An edible garden trail is a weekend where gardeners of all levels and in all environments open their front gate to the general public to meander through. It’s all about connecting budding gardeners, well-rooted growers and sticky-beakers, to share all the growing tricks and tips for different environments. The Trail is an opportunity to ask all those weird and wacky questions, how to raise chooks, what does it take to build soil, how do you choose the right varieties for your garden, what about endemic native foods, how to build the right structure fit for purpose, what grows well in shady spots, how to plant dwarf fruit tree or just simply asking, what is this weed!? And maybe, is it edible? Don't miss this golden opportunity to connect with your neighbours and learn how to build food security across the Illawarra!
Open Your Garden
We’ll be showcasing ALL types of growing spaces. The trail is for anyone growing food in their backyard, on a balcony, verge, community space or even window sill. Have a read of our Host FAQ’s and then take 5 minutes to tell us about your growing space here.
Gardens will be open across Wollongong Local Government.
EVENT DETAILS
What Illawarra Edible Garden Trail When Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2024 10am – 3pm Where Helensburgh to Windang Who Community members across the Illawarra interested in local food growing Cost Adult (17+) – $25
Kids (16 and under) – $5
Concession (students, pensioners)- $15
Adult (17+) Single Garden Visit - $5
Please note for attendees visiting gardens over the Saturday and Sunday of the Trail we will have a roaming photographer and videographer. If for any reason you do not wish to be filmed or photographed would you please be able to make that known to the videographee and the photographer who will be apparent with large amounts of camera gear. Otherwise content taken on the day will be used in promotional material for consequent events and marketing needs.
2024 – GARDEN PROFILES
Northern Illawarra (Helensburgh - Thirroul)
Otford / Gilly’s Kitchen Garden
Market Garden / Sat & SunSunny / shady / veggies / herbs / fruit / chickens / compost / worm farm
Outdoor classroom with student plots comprising traditional annual beds and food forests. Native garden, creek micro-climate, polytunnel, irrigation system, composting options and much more.
Otford / Greg Cook
Backyard garden (mostly shaded) / Sat & SunRaised beds / Herbs / Nuts / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Microgreens / Bio Intensive / Compost / Worm Farms
Bio Intensive organic vegetable garden. Closed system gardening focused on soil heath. Seed saving garden.
Otford / Otford Public School
Shady school garden / Sat & SunRaised beds / Coastal air exposed / / Herbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost /
The Otford Public School garden proudly grows a variety of herbs, veg and flowers, along with dwarf fruit trees that area establishing well in our shady environment. Otford Public School has a rich history of growing food and flowers.
Stawell Park / Kieran Tapsell
Backyard garden (mostly shaded), Coastal air exposed, Native bush foodsFruit / Bushcare regeneration / Compost
Nursery for native trees and bush care.
Coledale / Coledale Public school
School Garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Compost / Worm farm
Coledale Public school Garden is an organic garden. We have chickens, a food forest and no dig garden beds where we grow seasonal vegetables and herbs.
Coledale / Kylie Madden
Sunny Backyard / Sunday ONLYPermaculture principles / No dig beds / Food forest / Native bush foods /Climbing trellis / Syntropic / Biodynamic / Spray-free / Herbs / Nuts / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Compost pile / Worm farm / Green bin
Gardening in the rainforest brings its own challenges and joys. We are learning to make a productive garden with raised beds in a 2ha rainforest site full of brush turkeys and swamp wallabies with 0.5 ha cultivated with veg and fruit trees. Check out Kylie’s garden featured on Gardening Australia: https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/illawarra-healing/13934746
Austinmer / Belinda Baccarini
Coastal Verge garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Native bush foods / Edible flowers / No Spray / Compost / Worm Farm
Verge garden beds under powerlines, in the full sun. Bird friendly verge beds with gum trees, banksias, herbs, some vegetables, edible flowers and beautiful flowers for butterflies, bees and birds.
Austinmer / Imogen Ross
Verge garden / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Spray-free / Hugelkulture / Compost / Worm farm / Chop n’ drop
Unusual public-access garden built on the verge of railway lands and council roads.
Began in 2016 as a way to prevent soil erosion and bring back pollinators. This creative corner has become a favourite stopping point for the community, bringing shared stories to light and encouraging seed swaps, cuttings and young people’s interest.
Thirroul / Noah Fineberg
Raised beds (sun & shade) / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Microgreens / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Worm farm
I have a mix of raised garden beds, pots, troughs, and garden beds that I made using a version of Hugelkultur method. I did it a lot myself with some help from dad too.
Thirroul / Karen Charlton
Backyard garden (mostly shaded) / Saturday ONLYRaised beds / Herbs / Vegetables / Chickens / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost
Raised beds in a backyard. Started growing in June 2024.
Thirroul / Thirroul Community Garden
Community Garden / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit /Permaculture principles / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm / Bokashi bin / Weed tea / Cold compost
Established community garden, totally shared space. Very social. Food production, bush care, streamwatch, and workshops
Central North (Bulli - Mt Ousley)
Bulli / Suzy Pickles
Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm / Chickens
Suburban quarter acre block that has been cultivated in line with permaculture principles with a range of native plants (for biodiversity), edible garden zones (herbs, raised garden beds, on-ground veggie patch, an orchard, verge garden) as well as chickens and bees. We established the garden in 2020 and in 2023 collected data on our inputs, outputs etc, and discovered that we had grown 500 kg of food in a year!
Woonona / Jorid Nordaker
Raised beds / Saturday ONLYHerbs, Fruit / No spray / Compost
Pot garden amongst tamarillo trees, snd a drive way fruit tree garden.
Woonona / Woonona Community Garden
Community garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Bees / Compost / Worm farm
We are a 4 year old community garden using crop rotation, organic matter applications and hot compost to improve our soil fertility. We have 30 vegetable beds and about 50 fruit trees. Building community connections and education is an important part of our ethos.
Corrimal / Joanne Mcluskey
Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Saturday ONLYRaised beds Herbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Spray-free / Compost / Chickens
Started with one raised veg bed a few years ago which has expanded into 3. Have also planted fruit trees, herbs and edible flowers. The chickens provide eggs and manure and the 2 compost bins keep the cycle flowing. The front garden and verge are planted with native plants to bring back the native pollinators and birds.
Tarrawanna / Tarrawanna Public School
School garden/ Saturday ONLYHerbs / Nuts / Vegetables / Fruit / Bees / Native bush and trees (edible or not) / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Syntropic / Biodynamic / Spray-free / Compost
Our Living Classroom permaculture garden is an integral part of our educational experience. Year 3 students, as garden ambassadors, engage in practical activities like soil building, water saving, and composting, cultivating a variety of seasonal vegetables and herbs year-round. Our garden also features over 30 fruit trees, including bananas, citrus, macadamias, and more, creating a vibrant, hands-on learning environment for all.
Towradgi / Penny Claiborne
Verge & Backyard garden (sun and shade) / Sunday ONLYHerbs, Vegetables, Fruit / Permaculture principles / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm / Green bin / Raised beds / Food forest / Native bush foods
Verge garden with natives & back garden full sun with 5 raised beds for fruit and multiple recently planted citrus trees. Shaded back garden with native food forest started in early 2023, planting ongoing!
Balgownie / Bally Patch
Community garden / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Bees / Edible flowers / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Compost
Perennials, flowers, natives, bees and herbs support biodiversity alongside four shared communal no dig beds and private allotments. Nestled in with cosy seating is the well visited community library. It’s the 11th year of building community and capacity.
Fairy Meadow / Fairy Meadow Demonstration School
School garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Bees / Native trees and plants / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Syntropic / Biodynamic / Spray-free / Compost
Our large school garden is based on Permaculture Design systems that balance food production, biodiversity and sustainable natural resource management. The garden integrates natural resources and practices including seasonal planting, soil building, efficient water use, planting, plant propagation, composting, pruning, weeding, mulching, harvesting and storage of produce, seed saving and constructing garden structures.
Mt Pleasant / Aline Jaeckel
Backyard garden (mostly shaded), Raised beds, Native bush foods / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Bees / Native plants / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm
Permaculture-inspired front, side, and back garden with plenty of edible landscaping and raised veggie beds. We started the garden in 2021 and tried to integrate kids’ play spaces with edible landscaping and some dedicated veg and herb patches. Minimal lawn to maximise growing space.
Central South (Wollongong - Unanderra)
Wollongong / Mount St Thomas Public School
School garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / Compost /Worm farm
School and community garden, consisting of raised garden beds with seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Wollongong / Sheryl Wiffen
Verge & Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Sat & SunHerbs / Nuts / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Bees / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm
Been a passionate gardener all my life – got into Permaculture with Aaron Sorensen at the community garden at PCYC, and use permie principles in my garden & life. Completed my PDC with John Champagne at The Crossing in 2009 & am a founding member of Permablitz the Gong.
Figtree / Kathryn Morgan
Verge, Balcony & Backyard garden (mostly shaded) / Saturday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Compost / Worm farm
Very mixed suburban “no mow” garden featuring some food, lots of habitat and pollinator friendly flowers, all under a mature eucalyptus canopy.
Mount Kembla / Retro Roast Coffee Van
Raised beds / Sat & SunHerbs / Vegetables / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost
Our sunny Grow & Share Garden grows herbs, vegetables & flowers for our customers to pick while enjoying a coffee with a fantastic view & lots of Fairy Wren birds fluttering around when visiting historical Mount Kembla.
Unanderra / Ben Davies
Verge garden / Saturday ONLYHerbs, Vegetables, Fruit / Spray-free / Compost
Native Australian and European food forrest. Front yard/verge. North, north/west facing full sun.
Southern Illawarra (Berkeley - Windang/Dapto)
Port Kembla / Berbel Franse
Verge & Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm
Food forest in the making!
Port Kembla / Milo Kelly
Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Compost
1 yr old garden on sunny sloping lot. Aiming for productive no-dig style vegetable beds with lots of insect habitat
Warrawong / Green Connect Farm
Market garden / Sunday ONLYHerbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Bees / Pigs / lambs Permaculture principles, Organic Worm farm, Chickens, Livestock, Green bin, Chipping/mulching
11 acre urban farm in Warrawong NSW featuring over 20 organic vegetable beds, along with herbs, bees, chickens, pigs and sheep. Green Connect is a non-profit organisation providing food to the local community to help fund the support of young people and former refugees with training and employment opportunities. Not suitable for prams, wheelchairs or those with moderate mobility issues.
Berkeley / Lisa Redwood
Backyard sunny garden / Sat & SunRaised beds / Food forest / Native bush foods / Front yard garden / Herbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Compost / Worm farm
Sunny front yard garden with raised garden beds growing veggies, berries and herbs and a food forest, started growing in 2022.
Cringila / Zoe King
Coastal backyard garden w/ raised beds (mostly full sun) / Sunday ONLYFood forest / Native bush foods / Herbs / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Permaculture principles / Spray-free / Compost
We have a Wicking bed garden using recycled materials which grow a range of annuals and perennials. We have some native food plants as well as citrus and fruit trees. Our 9 chickens free range through the garden. We aim to apply permaculture principles throughout our property. Established 2021.
Dapto / Dana Mertens
Backyard garden (mostly full sun) / Sat & SunHerbs / Nuts / Vegetables / Fruit / Chickens / Microgreens / Permaculture principles / No-dig beds / Spray-free / Compost / Worm farm / Bokashi bin
An edible garden using permaculture, organic and regenerative principles. A working urban farm, that feeds the household and others.
Buy Tickets
Tickets can only be purchased for both days, not individual days. If you would like to visit only one garden you can purchase an individual garden ticket for $5. Whole weekend tickets will give you access to all gardens. People under 16 are free, but please still register them so we can keep record of attendees. Funds raised from tickets sales cover the costs of delivering the event. Garden addresses and a map will be emailed to ticket holders one week prior to the event. Please purchase your tickets via Humanitix. Tickets will require collection prior to attendance, more details to come. Please click through to event link for ticket prices.
Buy Tickets