Tickets have now sold out for this weekend’s Edible Gardens Festival, when the green thumbs behind some of the best fruit and vegetable gardens in the region will open their doors to the community. And the forecast is looking warm, sunny and amazing, setting the scene for the most successful festival yet.
People keen to learn more about edible gardening can visit 11 gardens over the May 20-21 weekend, touring the properties across the Margaret River region and picking up tips from the gardeners.
The gardens include tiny blocks, suburban gardens, bush blocks and large rural properties. Many of the productive gardens are based on permaculture principles, covering practical elements like composting, worm farms, growing vegetables, netting an orchard, improving fertility, using animals, upcycling, and saving water.
Ticket-holders are also eligible for 10 per cent off all plants including fruit trees and seedlings from Mitre 10 Margaret River from May 20-June 30. They can also get 10 per cent off wines at Stella Bella.
Passionate local gardeners and festival organisers Trev Paddenburg and Valerie Vallee said the 2023 program features 11 gardens not featured on the program before, all with a focus on growing fruit and vegetables, building soil health, composting, reducing waste and living a more sustainable life.
“We’ve had lots of interest from many more people trying to get a ticket, but unfortunately we’ve sold out and our gardens are at capacity,” Trev says. “But we’ll be back next year with a whole new line-up of gardens, so make sure you get in early in 2024. If you’re heading to the festival, listen out for a big “cooee” when you’re at each of the gardens. That’s the signal the host gardener is doing a short talk about their garden, and a great chance for you to gather around, listen in and learn more.”
There are four sessions over the weekend (Sat 9am-noon, Sat 1pm-4pm, Sun 9am-noon, Sun 1pm-4pm) with three open gardens in most sessions. Other tips from the organisers to make the most of the festival include:
🥕Please car pool or even ride your bike where possible.
🥕Most gardens do not have toilets for use, so make the most of public loos where possible.
🥕 It’s a sell out and apologies but we have no more tickets available for sale.
🥕 It is also going to be busy! Please be patient when checking in, and remember the gardens within each time slot can be visited in any order.
🥕 Please have your ticket ready to show on your iPhone or printed, and bring some ID (we have had a few cases of scammers trying to sell tickets)
🥕Look out for festival parking signs and flags. Please follow parking instructions in the program.
🥕 You can view or download it at www.ediblegardensfestival.au
🥕 Stick to paths in the gardens and please admire but don’t pick or eat the produce! Our amazing gardeners are generously opening up their patch for the community to learn, connect and grow.
🥕 Please supervise kids at all times.
🥕 These are working gardens with ponds, steps, uneven ground etc. By attending the festival you agree to take responsibility for your own safety.
“Our small team are passionate about edible gardens and connecting community, we’re not for profit, and the event is largely put together on volunteer time. So thank you for supporting us and we hope you have an amazing weekend,” says Trev.
Among the gardens featured on the program are Anthony and Katie Smith’s suburban block in Brookfield, which has been transformed into a productive, functional and beautiful place to raise their kids and feed the family. Some of the top food gardens in the Witchcliffe Ecovillage will also be on display, as will some of Cowaramup’s best food gardens.
It’s all part of the Edible Gardens Festival aim to connect community and empower people with knowledge and inspiration to get their hands dirty, grow their own food and have fun in the process.
“It’s an amazing event for our community, giving locals the chance to learn more about everything from growing your own fruit and vegetables to saving water, composting, reducing waste, living more sustainably, using smart design and reducing our impact on the earth,” says Trev.
The event is supported by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s Community and Development Events Grant, and the organisers have also partnered with the Margaret River Community Pantry and Margaret River Regional Environment Centre.
“Whether you’re already growing your own food or want to make a start, don’t miss this chance to get up close and personal with experienced green thumbs and tap into an immense bank of local, place-based knowledge to help you on your food-growing journey,” says co-organiser Val. “Given the incredible feedback from last year’s event, we’re excited to bring it back to the community in 2023.”