Organisers of the popular Edible Gardens Festival have been hard at work visiting some of the region’s top productive gardens, as they put together the program for the gardening extravaganza returning on May 24&25.
And it comes as the not-for-profit festival was awarded a Shire of Augusta Margaret River community development and events grant. It will help fund a new and expanded format that includes new open gardens, live demonstrations at each garden, and new workshops.
“Our favourite part of running the Edible Gardens Festival is getting to visit a whole range of inspiring gardens across the Margaret River region, as we put together an amazing program that really showcases food-growing abundance and sustainable gardening,” says festival organiser, keen local gardener and permaculture teacher Trevor Paddenburg.
“Every year we have a new line-up of gardens and the amazing gardeners who created them. And we’ve already got some really interesting gardens locked in for the 2025 program.”
After selling out in each of the past three years, tickets are likely to be snapped up quickly when they go on sale from February 19 at www.ediblegardensfestival.au, where the full 2025 program will also be available. Saturday and Sunday day tickets are $20 for adults. And free for children 16 and under.
Three different gardens are open to the community from 9am to 1pm each day of the festival. At each garden, locals can hear from the gardeners who created them. Pick up tips and inspiration for growing your own food. Catch a live demonstration on a different topic at each garden. And buy delicious local produce, food and drinks.
Workshops run by local experts to deepen learning
Meanwhile, in-depth workshops run by local experts are ticketed separately at $25 each and are held in the afternoon of both days. Topics include:
- Promoting Abundance in Fruit Trees with David Hatwell from Capes Horticulture
- Ultimate Worm Farming with Jamie and Lara McCall from Burnside Organic Farm
- Seriously Fascinating Soil Science with Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology
- Successful Seedlings for a Glowing Gut with Amy Dyson from Plumo Market Garden
- Regenerative farming tours with Laura and Lawson Bailey from Margaret River Organic Farmer
Margaret River Mitre 10 is again supporting the festival, with ticket-holders able to cash in on a 20 per cent discount on all fruit trees, potted plants and vegetable seedlings. Yates Australia is donating thank-you gifts for the gardeners and volunteers.
Jane’s incredible edible garden confirmed for 2025
Already confirmed on the open garden program is Jane House’s Rosa Brook property. It features a huge netted orchard home to a dazzling variety of fruit trees as well as annual and perennial veg beds, nut trees, berry bushes and fruiting vines. Jane (pictured, below) will share her top tips including overcoming rabbits, protecting the harvest, “easy-peasy composting”, building soil health and water conservation.
“Growing your own means better tasting veggies and fruit. Appreciating the labour and effort it has taken. And feeling a sense of pride in what I am able to grow with the help of mother nature,” Jane says. “Each season throws up different variations so gardening is never dull. And the constant challenge and learnings are such a joy.”
An edible suburban paradise at Giselle’s place
Meanwhile, Giselle Duesterdiek’s 500sqm property is a fantastic example of how to grow abundance in a small space. Here backyard is a thriving productive plot with citrus trees, wicking beds, perennials and berries, herb garden, annual veggie beds, and a container garden to maximise growing space.
“I can’t wait to share my garden and show people that you can grow a lot of food in a small space! Urban backyards can be packed full of produce if you prioritize edible plants,” says Giselle (pictured, above with partner Scott). “Bringing food into the house makes me feel like Superwoman! Fruit and veggies can be unbelievably delicious when they are grown right. I love gardening because it helps keep me fit. It’s a never-ending project. And there is always something to learn.”
Privilege to play a part in connecting community
Festival organiser Trevor Paddenburg said it is a “real privilege to play a role in connecting community and empowering people with knowledge and inspiration to get their hands dirty, grow their own food and have fun in the process”.
“Whether you’re already growing your own food or want to make a start, the festival is the perfect 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,” he said.
Supporters and sponsors vital to Edible Gardens Festival
Trev thanked the event’s “awesome community supporters, partners and sponsors” including:
- the Shire of Augusta Margaret River
- Margaret River Regional Environment Centre
- Margaret River Mitre 10
- Yates Australia
- Lazarus Horticulture
- South West Tree Services
- Cape to Cape Explorer Tours
- Fair Harvest Permaculture
- Soil Dynamics
- Shogun Tools
- Shelter Brewing Co
- Margaret River Community Pantry
- The Margaret River Region
“We couldn’t do this event without them. As well as the gardeners generously opening their properties and the dedicated team of event volunteers,” Trev said.