The second year of the Blue Mountains Edible Garden Trail

Launched last year to inspire and educate Mountains backyard growers, the trail has since set seed throughout the country and beyond. Edible garden trails have sprouted in Apollo Bay and Torquay in Victoria, on the NSW South Coast, and even in the US where the Blue Mountains founder has been invited as a consultant.

"It was always my intention for the idea to spread,” said Edible Garden Trail founder, Susanne Rix.  “I’m hoping this will become a global phenomenon with people all over the world opening their gardens to share intelligent, sustainable food production techniques.” 

This year’s trail re-unites many growers from the inaugural event and also welcomes exciting new and diverse gardens including Joe Tabone’s Springwood patch.

Mr Tabone, who is part of the Urban Growers Co-op which sells backyard produce at Lawson’s Magpie Markets, turned his suburban backyard, front yard and verge into an edible oasis using bio-intensive methods and permaculture principles. A small biogas system in the chook pen even supplies the family with cooking gas.

“I joined the Edible Garden Trail this year because I want to encourage others to grow more food in their own backyards and on the verges,” said Mr Tabone. 

“Growing food makes us more resourceful, resilient and skilled … and brings communities together.

“The Edible Garden Trail is a fabulous initiative that may well just inspire change in our the local landscape. Less manicured lawns and more avenues of abundance.”

The Edible Garden Trail is sponsored by Blue Mountains Food Co-op, Scenic World, Bendigo Bank Katoomba and Blue Mountains Council. Last year’s not-for-profit community event raised $2000 and was donated to local school and community gardens to purchase garden equipment.