We’ve just wrapped up our 7th Home Harvest edible garden trail. Supported by the City of Hobart, it’s always a brilliant day with hundreds of highlight excited and pumped gardeners hitting up some of the best edible garden in and around Nipaluna/Hobart. Sometimes I struggle to describe WHY this is such a good event. So I thought I’d let some of the feedback from the day speak for me…

“We visited 3 gardens of such different design, chatted to wonderful, passionate people and learnt a heap. Thanks so very much to all involved for organising and being a part of such a wonderful experience and opportunity to connect and learn. Look forward to next year!” (Dean)

“It was a brilliant day. Amazing hosts, wonderful, inspirational gardens, perfect weather & even some terrific dogs. Thankyou so much to everyone who makes these days happen. I love them.” (Leanne)

“Lovely gardens with loads of inspiration gained! Big thanks to all at Outside the Box, Marian & Wendy for sharing your gardens (wish I could have seen more). Outside the Box proved that bush & ‘tamed, orderly gardens’ can coexist. Marian’s relaxed little Bantams were adorable & she cleverly uses pots, vertical screens of reo mesh & other recycled items. Wendy’s ‘secret garden’ orchard, bountiful veggies, avocado tree & fragrant rose bushes were delightful. Sat on a bench admiring Wendy’s beautiful garden shed, eating a sun warmed nectarine, and thought that life is good! Thanks Good Life Permaculture and all the organisers/volunteers/funders.” (Sabrina)

Every year I have multiple people ask me how Home Harvest started and how they too can do something in their own regions.

I first started the event after I saw something similar happening in Darebin Council, Victoria and immediately wanted it for my own neighbourhood. I started looking for local grants to support it to happen and applied for one through the City of Hobart which was successful. I then proceeded to apply for the same grant multiple years in a row until they wonderfully said they’ll integrated it into their budget for three years so I didn’t have to keep applying for grants.

We’re at the end of that three year period now and with new leadership in the Council I have to see if I can secure more funding – wish me luck. And if it isn’t renewed? Well I’ll cross that bridge if needed, but my hope is Council recognises the incredible service Home Harvest provides for the community to build food security, and increase community resilience in the face on climate change and the increasing disruptions we’re told to expect by climate scientists. Fingers crossed!

“Loved it like always, and loved hearing about how people had opened up their own gardens after being inspired by the trail in its early years!” (Lisa)

“…It was great, my fave this year was Marian’s garden in Taroona, what a delight. I also loved the other ones I saw (some again) this year. Thank you for organising!!!” (Manon)

• Enormous thanks to Libby McKay for taking all the beautiful photos!
• And gratitude to the City of Hobart for your ongoing support!