Why Edible Gardens?
Like the energy, time, and care it takes to grow food and take care of plants, the connection with our neighbours and community also takes the same effort. There are many ways cultivate a close relationship with neighbours, and various edible gardens are a great way to start a conversation or increase interaction.
Read on below about the different types of edible gardens that can bring people together. See related stories about this type of placemaking at the bottom of the page.
Fruit Trees
Any types of fruit trees and bushes can be planted on nature strips or hung over the fence onto the pathway for neighbours to pick and eat.
Examples: Cherries, apples, and berries have been common around the area
Related Stories: Fruit salad along the way home
Community VeGgie Patch
Veggie patches can be planted in shared areas for everyone to look after and access. The shared responsibility means everyone will need to collaborate together to receive the fruits of their hard work.
Examples and ideas: Herb gardens, portable raised garden beds, planted in your property or on the nature strip, vegetables that can be easily picked and snacked on during a nice walk like beans or cherry tomatoes
Related Stories: The couple with the sustainable home and community garden patch, Community Garden, Lyneham Commons Food Forest
sharing fresh produce
If you just don’t have any space in your front yard or nature strip to plant something for everyone to enjoy, sharing little things that you’ve grown yourself with your neighbours is also a good way to give and interact with others.
Examples and Ideas: leaving paper bags of assorted vegies and fruit at your neighbour’s doors, cooking something with your homegrown ingredients and sharing it at a street dinner, do a produce swap with your people on your street
Related Stories: A bag of lemons at the door
Non-Edible Plants
Non-edible plants can also be conversation starters, and give you opportunities to interact with your neighbours.
Examples: Beautiful flowers can be cut and gifted to people, you can share succulent care tips and exchange cuttings, help elderly with mowing the grass
Related Stories: Planting flower bulbs for mothers day
For birds and animals
Many different species of wildlife also call this area their home, and we can provide habitat for them by planting suitable native plants and taking care of the environment.
Examples: Spiky bushes are perfect for little native birds to build nests and keep away from predators, bees and other pollen or nectar-eating insects like flowers, leaving out buckets of water for birds and roos during bushfire season
Related Stories: Megan Mears sharing about birds and habitat
Back to placemaking
Living Streets Association 