A few showers couldn’t deter a record crowd of keen gardeners who flocked to the weekend’s Edible Gardens Festival to tour productive gardens, and learn about food growing and sustainability.
Six diverse gardens across the Margaret River region were open to the community, with the gardeners giving:
- guided tours
- and passing on tips for fruit and vegetable growing
- building soil health
- reducing waste through composting and worm farms
- saving water
- and huge range of other gardening and sustainability-related topics
Both days of the festival once again sold out with almost 400 ticket holders on Saturday and another 400 attending Sunday’s gardens. Plus, for the first time there was a festival bus, reducing emissions and the number of cars on the road. And boosting the green credentials of the event.
Meanwhile, another 150 people attended in depth afternoon workshops on both days of the festival on a big range of topics. These were all hosted by local teachers or gardening experts.
Big crowds at gardener Jane House’s property
Locals and visitors flock to Edible Gardens Festival
The open garden sessions and workshops were packed with locals keen to learn more as well as day trippers from across the South-West. But several hundred people also made the trip down from Perth and elsewhere around WA. That proves the annual not-for-profit event is becoming a major tourism drawcard as well as a grassroots event for the local community.
“The feedback has been incredible. And I’m so stoked the community braved the grey skies to come out to support the event. Get involved. Pick up loads of knowledge and inspiration. And meet like-minded souls with an interest in nature, gardens, the environment and sustainability,” said festival organiser and local permaculture teacher Trev Paddenburg.
“It was so incredible to see so many people of all ages and all walks of life coming from our local community, across the South-West and from Perth and further afield in WA.”
Plenty of bountiful produce was on show at the festival
Community connections forged through gardening
Trev added: “Once again I was just blown away by the number of people who are really keen to learn more about soil, food growing and sustainability. I loved seeing how many amazing community connections were forged between our awesome gardeners, our fabulous team of volunteers, and everyone who attended.”
Organisers say the event will be back next year. And it’ll come with a whole new swag of diverse gardens to tour, plus some exciting new additions to the festival program.
Smiles all round while touring the gardens
Supporters and sponsors make festival a success
“I’m so grateful to our gardeners who very generously opening their spaces, welcomed the community in, and shared their immense knowledge,” said Trev. “Plus, this event wouldn’t be possible without our huge team of volunteers who helped out with checking people in. Directing parking. Teaching workshops and garden demonstrations. And helping with logistics and a raft of other jobs.
“I also want to say a heartfelt thank-you to support from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Margaret River Regional Environment Centre. And to businesses including Margaret River Mitre 10, Lazarus Horticulture Services, Yates, South West Tree Services, Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, Burnside Organic Farm, Soil Dynamics, Productive Ecology, Plumo Market Garden, Capes Horticulture, Fair Harvest Permaculture, Mumballup Organics, Shogun Tools, Shelter Brewing Co and Vegepod.
“Whether you’re already growing your own food or want to make a start, we hope the festival gave everyone the chance to get up close and personal with experienced green thumbs. And to tap into an immense bank of local, place-based knowledge to help you on your food-growing journey.
“Sorry if you missed out on tickets. But get in early next year. We’ll be back with all new productive gardens and even more inspiration.”
A whole range of gardening styles and techniques were on show