Local edible gardens returning in 2024

Are you a gardening guru who enjoys growing your own veggies, herbs and fruit trees?

Do you have advice to share about what foods grow well locally, how to save seeds, or how to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden?

If this sounds like you or one of your friends, Bass Coast Edible Gardens is keen to hear from you.

Although we are in the depths of winter, planning has begun for the third annual Bass Coast Edible Gardens Weekend, to be held on February 10 and 11, 2024.

Visitor feedback from previous events has indicated that diversity is important – in location and size of garden and approaches to gardening.

So organisers, Sharon Willcox and Maddy Harford are keen to hear from gardeners across Phillip Island and San Remo.

“In 2024 we would love to have some more gardens at large rural properties, plus some young families who are just starting out on their food gardening journey,” Sharon said.

Previous open gardens have included a permaculture farm in Ventnor, a mini-farm in Cowes, the prolific Phillip Island Community Orchard and a small garden in San Remo, filled with fruit trees, chooks, fig trees and hydroponically grown vegetables.

Maddy explained that the Open Food Gardens weekend was established to inspire more people to get into the garden and grow their own food.

“There are so many benefits from growing food – it helps keep costs down, boosts your physical and mental health, and you can eat tasty, home grown, seasonal fruit and vegies, while reducing food miles,” she said.

If you would like to discuss opening your garden for the 2024 event, you can find more information on the website at www.basscoastediblegardens.com or email bceg@bcal.vic.edu.au