ABOUT
The Sydney Edible Garden Trail, is a celebration of the many ways that Sydney residents are creating food security, saving money and the environment, while enjoying the health benefits of homegrown fruit and veg. Backyard growers, large and small, from various suburbs north of Parramatta River (e.g. Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Willoughby, Hunters Hill, Ryde, Hornsby, North Sydney, Mosman, Northern Beaches Councils and surrounding areas), will open their gardens to the public on the third weekend of March 2020 sharing their passion and knowledge to inspire self-reliance. This is a community not-for-profit event with profits going to participating school and community edible gardens. Our aim is to encourage and inspire growing edible produce in street gardens, home gardens and public spaces across Sydney. It aims to showcase sustainable practices such as mulching for water conservation, recycling and composting to increase soil fertility and reduce landfill, planting to encourage bees, home food production to increase food security, and organic growing techniques to reduce chemical use. Featuring:- private gardens, school and community gardens, aquaponics, composting, worm farms, wicking beds, banana circles, caring for poultry, garden talks, companion planting, crop swaps and more.
OUR STORY
In early March 2019, Bridget Kennedy, visited the Blue Mountains Edible Garden Trail with a group from Permaculture Sydney North (PSN). Since the demise of the ABC Open Gardens scheme, Bridget had been toying with the idea of creating an annual fundraising opening Garden Trail promoting sustainable living and growing your own food. The inspirational visit to the mountains was all the impetus she needed. Within 24 hours, she’d contacted Susanne Rix, the founder of the Blue Mountains Edible Garden Trail (who was keen to offer her support) and her local permaculture group, who were also excited by the idea. The result, a formidable group of multi-talented women, with decades of combined sustainable gardening experience, who’ve come together to create the non-profit on the ground community-building Sydney Edible Garden Trail, held on the 21-22 March 2020.
THE CREW
The Instigator and Co-founder – Bridget Kennedy, director of Bridget Kennedy Project Space and committee member of Repair Cafe Sydney North is passionate about creativity and it’s role in creating connected and sustainable communities. Bridget’s been working on her edible garden for the last 18 years. It continues to evolve, with an aquaponics system, wicking beds, chooks, a shared verge garden and more. Gardening keeps her sane!
Co-founder – Nita Lo, Garden Co-ordinator Permaculture Sydney North. Nita started her edible garden three years ago and still considers herself as a novice gardener. She used to describe herself as a plant killer and wouldn’t venture beyond succulents. Since completing her introduction to Permaculture course, she feels she’s on the right track
Co-founder – Laurie Green, Founder of Crop Swap Australia, writer of Vegepod’s international corporate gardening program & designer/ facilitator of the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability’s Sustainable Food Production education program. She is passionate about local, sustainable food & sharing her knowledge of it with the community. Her permaculture garden will continue to evolve & will never be finished!
Co-founder – Margaret Mossakowska of Moss House , where she holds workshops and shares her wealth of sustainable living skills knowledge.