Garden Insights - Toowoomba Edible Garden

Garden Insights + Share Table

Garden Insights - Kushla's Toowoomba Edible Garden

Sunday 3 September 2023

2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

37 Gordon Avenue, Newtown Q 4352

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Bookings are essential so we have contact details and know how many will attend.

What We'll Do

We’ll start at 2.00 pm with a welcome and introduction. We like to visit a range of different gardens, each as unique as the gardener who lives there. It’s wonderful to see the diverse garden styles, approaches, and plants that can be grown in our bioregion.

So this month Kushla Gale will show us her edible urban garden on a 700m2 block in Newtown.

What We'll see

A five year old suburban garden started during the drought from a blank slate of bare grass and 3 small trees; so it's still under development. Everything is edible (though not every part of every plant is edible!), and all layers have been planted, from root veggies to groundcovers, annuals and perennials, shrubs, trees and vines, working around the restrictiions my partner imposed (i.e. there is still a lawn whereas I would have covered everything in food!). 

It hasn't been consciously designed using the Permaculture Principles but some of them have been incorporated. I try to plant unusual edibles, especially low care, drought tolerant ones with a long harvest season (or the harvestable part doesn't have to be quickly harvested). Happy to share cuttings and some divisions.

Here's a short video of Kushla's Toowoomba Edible Garden from the 2022 Carnival of Flowers Garden Competition.  See Video

The Story Behind the Garden

The natural ecosystem was cleared for cattle, then suburbia was built in the 1960s. One family lived in the house til my partner purchased it in January 2018. The garden was put on hold until November 2018 while the house was renovated inside and out. A few roses and azaleas were given away, and we started from scratch, starting with no dig lasagna beds.

Afternoon Tea (provided)

A light afternoon tea will be provided (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

What to Bring

• Water Bottle
• Sun protection
• Clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor weather conditions
• Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Parking

Parking is available on the street.

Access

This garden has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers if needed. Everyone is welcome including children with close adult supervision for their safety.

We hope we see you there!

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - Free
• Non-Members - $10 per person
• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $40 per person or $30 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  

If you join now, membership is half-price (pro rata for 1/2 a year) and valid for 6 months until the end of 2023. 

Members can attend all events and workshops during the year at no cost. You can pay your membership at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Please complete a Membership forms which will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/

COVID-19

We’re taking careful steps to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe. This includes:

• Following all Queensland Health Guidelines. See https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

Please don’t attend if you or anyone in your household is unwell.  Help us keep everyone healthy and well.