The Flame's Spring 2023 cover story featured the team who launched the first Illawarra Edible Garden Trail at schools, bushcare sites and homes from Helensburgh to Woonona. At the time, the trail's program manager, horticulturalist Anna Jane 'AJ' Linke, told us: “We can’t wait to expand to Wollongong in 2024 and Windang in 2025.”
So it's mission accomplished! This year's trail will take in all the coastal villages of Wollongong. Thanks to AJ for taking the time to tell us more.
Congratulations on putting together Edible Garden Trail no. 2! Who is behind this one?
Yes, so exciting this year that the trail is being pulled together with the help of all the crop swap groups across the Wollongong LGA. So that’s the Otford, Bulli, Unanderra, Port Kembla and Dapto crop swappers meeting monthly to make the magic happen!
Like last year, we couldn’t be doing it without the generous support of Food Fairness Illawarra and Healthy Cities and with sponsorship from Gilly’s Kitchen Garden!
What's new this year?
We’re extending the trail from Helensburgh to include the entire Wollongong LGA, that means all the way down to Windang and Dapto. We have over 30 edible gardens on show from school gardens in Fairy Meadow, Coledale, Otford, Wollongong and Port Kembla, community gardens in Balgownie, Thirroul, Woonona and Figtree to private backyard, verge, balcony and edible pot gardens of all shapes and sizes. We even have the Green Connect Farm joining the trail this year!
And most importantly, we’re hoping to set-up a carpooling page so that people can connect, reduce emissions and do the trail together!
How many gardens are involved – anything nice, different or unusual this year?
At this point we’ve got about 35 edible gardens of ALL shapes and sizes. The trail is always different depending on the gardeners who host. Ticket holders can expect to come across chicken coops, worm farms, compost bins, spray-free techniques, no-dig bed displays, bokashi bin systems, Hugelkultur and so much more.
Any lessons from last year that you've implemented?
No medallions for tickets this year, just wristbands! We loved gifting you all something to say thanks for sharing your time with us, but it took us hours to make, fire and paint them so unfortunately it’s just paper wristbands this year. But they’ll be able to be composted so still no waste!
Why should people get involved?
The trail is an opportunity for people thinking about starting about growing some herbs or veg to come check out what people are growing in their neck of the woods, have chats and build connections that we hope will support them to continue growing. The trail is also for well-seasoned growers to have a sticky-beak and get new ideas on what to grow!
It’s not about showing off pristine gardens, it’s about working gardens of all stages. And obviously, the whole point is about building food security across the Illawarra. If we can all grow a little bit of produce, and share it with each other we’re going to be a stronger and more resilient community in the face of a changing climate.
How will the trail work?
People purchase tickets online and collect their wristbands on the weekend at either Gilly’s Garden in Otford or from Unanderra Community Centre to access the gardens. Ticket holders will have access to a map and description of all the gardens so they can plan their visit, grab some friends, or register on the carpooling app and share a ride to check the gardens.
The ticket will give them access to all gardens across the Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm. It’s important to note that NOT all gardens are open both days, so please check the map and description on the website to ensure the garden will be open on the correct day.
Garden profiles are already live on the website. It’s important to find the hosts of the gardens and have a chat with them to get the most knowledge sharing out of the trail!
Illawarra Edible Garden Trail, Saturday & Sunday, November 9 & 10, 10am-3pm, buy tickets via the website.