JOIN THE ILLAWARRA EDIBLE GARDEN TRAIL!
We’ve got some exciting news! Food Fairness Illawarra will host the 2024 Illawarra Edible Garden Trail on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2024 from 10am-3pm. This event is sponsored by Gilly’s Kitchen Garden. Tickets available soon!
Register to be a host here by 30 June.
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 Tickets will be available in the coming months.
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 videographer, Blake, and the photographer, Luke – 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.
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.
Open your garden
We’ll be showcasing ALL types of growing spaces, not just ‘show gardens’. We’re all learning – the trail is for anyone growing food in their backyard, you don’t need to be an expert. 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 between Helensburgh to Windang.
2023 – GARDEN PROFILES
HELENSBURGH
Marina’s Garden
Helensburgh / backyard garden / Sunday onlyRaised beds / sunny & shady / veggies / herbs / fruit / permaculture principles / no dig beds / climbing trellis / compost / worm farm
I’ve lived in Helensburgh for less than 3 years after being in a unit for nearly 30. All I wanted was to grow a garden! I get so much joy feeding my family with clean healthy produce grown in my own garden. The vegetable garden has been designed for accessibility into old age.
Romain Portugal
Helensburgh / backyard garden / Saturday onlySunny / shady / veggies / herbs / fruit / chickens / bees / compost / worm farm
Starting fresh in a new garden. Lots of beds, now planting out with seedlings of Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and much more. Good soil, lots of toil!
STANWELL TOPS
Ethan’s Garden
Stanwell Tops / backyard garden / Sunday onlyVerge garden / raised beds / veggies / fruit / worm farm
I started gardening through the Disability Trust’s IVS Trusted Gardener program when I was still at school. My family had this cage built for me so that I could grow food in the sunniest spot at my home safe from the deer. I grow all my favourites: grapes, pears, mandarins, blueberries, strawberries, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, fennel, carrot, cauliflower, celery and potato for chips. I had chickens too but the lace monitor that lives in my roof sometimes liked eating all the eggs.
WHY JOIN THE ILLAWARRA EDIBLE GARDEN TRAIL?
Food Security
Localised food production is becoming increasingly important. Forecasts by the CSIRO predict Sydney’s food production from within the basin could drop from 20% to 6% by 2031. If Sydney was cut-off we would have a two days supply of fresh food. The Trail offers the opportunity into an alternative, more resilient food system based on backyard growing.
Diversity
It’s a chance to deepen our understanding of our local environment, including native foods that have been lost to urbanisation; the Illawarra has a flavourful spectrum of native foods such as the Illawarra Plum that would have contributed greatly to the D’harawal diet. The Trail is an opportunity to strengthen community connections and bring food production, of both native and non-native foods, back to the area.
Seasonality
Lastly, the Edible Garden Trail will highlight the importance of seasonality and educate participants on seasonal produce in the Illawarra. Seasonal eating refers to eating fruit and vegetables that are ‘in season’ or at the peak of their freshness and flavour during a specific time of the year. In-season food is better for you, tastier and cheaper; it requires less travel and less controlled, artificial environments to grow in!