If you grow anything that’s edible – in your backyard or front yard, on balconies, in the community or via other forms of shared growing – you’re a ‘Gardener’ in our food system. Which means you’re also a ‘Producer’!
Below you’ll find every local resource we currently know about that will help you as a Gardener (and Producer).
GARDENER ASSOCIATIONS
Rare Fruit Society of South Australia
Rare Fruit Society of South Australia members grow fruit and food plants originating from cool-temperate, temperate, subtropical and elevated tropical regions across the world. A wealth of knowledge in records are kept of member’s successes and failures. Members attend meetings and participate in field trips.
Society meetings are held bi-monthly on the fourth Tuesday of odd months (January, March, May, July, September and November) and visitors are welcome. Once a year, deciduous fruit grafting sessions are conducted, which are open to the public.
Permaculture South Australia
Permaculture SA upholds the permaculture ethics of earth care, people care and fair share. Their purpose is to educate and inspire South Australians to use permaculture design principles to create regenerative communities and ecosystems, and to live sustainable lives.
Visit their website to learn more about permaculture, membership, and to look up upcoming workshops and events.
GARDENER RESOURCES
‘Starting a garden in Adelaide’ by Nadja’s Garden
This fabulous free eBook has been developed over the past decade by Nadja Osterstock, a permaculture garden designer based in Adelaide.
“It’s important to me to refer to experience from local sources wherever possible. Our soils, seasons and native species differ from other places – so learning what works here can save a lot of time, energy and resources,” Nadja says.
How-to guide on efficient garden water use
This short free manual, compiled by SA Urban Food Network committee member Dr Georgia Csortan, helps gardeners calculate and compare the water use efficiency of their food garden areas.
Natural Resource Management Boards
Local NRM boards are a wealth of local knowledge about what grows best in your area, and what local gardening groups are currently operating.
For example: Natural Resources, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges has this excellent page full of resources on growing, sharing and eating local food.
Every Day Sustainable Living
Founded in 2005 by Christopher Day, Every Day Sustainable Living provides advice and planning for permaculture design, and the installation of organic food gardens and edible landscaping. They also run workshops on sustainable education, growing your own food gardens, worms, and nature play.
Chris and his partner also run Cockatoo Creek Farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Milkwood Permaculture
Now based in Tasmania, Kirsten Bradley and Nick Ritar have run Milkwood in various locations across Australia for the past 10 years.
Their website and blog is a treasure trove of information, resources and how-to guides for everything from making your own potting mix to growing garlic and cultivating your own mushrooms at home.
Good Life Permaculture
Good Life Permaculture, a small-scale permaculture property based in Tasmania, has a brilliant blog full of tips and tricks for Gardeners.
We particularly liked when they asked a few of their ‘goat friends some questions – if you’ve ever considered goats for your garden or property, read ‘Four goat case studies from around Australia‘.
GARDENER FACEBOOK PAGES & GROUPS
Many fabulous interactive Facebook communities and pages exist for gardeners – here’s our pick of the best.
ABC’sGardening Australia TV show has a large collection of videos for growing great fruit, vegetables and herbs, and a brilliant YouTube channel. These are three of our favourites.
3000acres YouTube
Melbourne-based urban community garden advocates 3000acres have a Youtube channel showcasing a great variety of food gardens. These are our two favourites.
Help us uncover those working towards a regenerative local food system. Do you know of something we should add here? Email hello@saurbanfood.org
MEET OUR GARDENER CONNECTORS
‘Connectors’ are South Australians who volunteer their time to help link our network, providing information, contacts and connections as needed.
We don’t yet have a Gardener Connector!
Are you our missing connector? Are you interested or already engaged in this space? Do you have good connections with others? Or do you keep up with relevant events?
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we live, work and play. We pay respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are inspired by the long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agriculture and ecological land management.
