It all began as an off-hand comment at the Flemington Food Swap, “wouldn’t it be great if we could transform that patch of grass and fruit trees into a food forest” – a week later it was happening. I couldn’t believe my luck, knowing it had taken the Moreland Food Forest group 2 years to convince their council, a week seemed beyond belief. Thank you Pat from MINTI and My Smart Garden for working your magic!

Of course it all made sense (but sense isn’t always what drives the powers that be), the stoic little bunch of fruit trees at the Farnham Street Park were struggling against encroaching grass and the perfunctory whipper-snipping of indolent contractors that left the trunks scarred and almost ring-barked. These same trees would flourish without the competition of grass and with a living green mulch of understorey plants. What’s more, the amount of grass the council would have to cut would be reduced to a simple boundary edge with no trunks or awkward fences to navigate. A win win in all directions, not to mention a beautiful low maintenance garden that would not only provide a sanctuary for birds and beneficial insects, but a great space for the community to learn about different perennial crops, preserving, pruning and planting.

My plan is to start small, but make it beautiful as well as productive.

Flowers as well as fruit, a secret pathway for the kids to run amongst the trees with little clearings where they might find a bench repurposed from a pallet for tea parties, or sculptures made by local artists. And maybe, just maybe when people see how lovely a perennial food garden can be they might start popping up everywhere.

Like us on Facebook for more updates. See plant suggestions below paired with a microclimate plan.