Following on from a whole street of verge gardens is another verge garden in Sydney that is using verge plantings as a great way of cultivating community.
Costa and his verge needs little introduction, since his garden gets featured weekly on national television as part of Gardening Australia. What I like best about this verge garden is how it is truly helping to create community in a rather underutilized street of spacious verges.
During the verge’s setup phase, which included daytime ‘chicken tractor’ duties for Costa’s 3 chooks (note chicken tractor behind, made from old dining table, which made a great work surface during the verge’s install)
Community notice board at the verge garden, hereby notifying young community members who usually come to collect eggs (from Costa’s chooks, kept in the backyard next to the verge) that the chooks are moulting currently and therefore off the lay.
The verge outside Costa’s house groans with a great range of greens, herbs and hardy edge plants, which are all planted on community planting days, and are there for the picking…
And further up this same street, the idea seems to be catching on, too…
Edibility in the streets, out the front, where people interact, start living within sight of each other, and get to know their neighbors. Small gestures, powerful statements.
If you want to have a further squiz at this verdant street of verge garden action, check out Costa’s World, and also Gardening Australia…
>> More posts and resources about urban permaculture and verge gardens
Very inspiring especially for those like me living in the city
Fantastic stuff, good to see these spaces being used.
Yes verge gardens are a great idea ,but,I don’t think vegetables ,what about barkers eggs !!!!
The street that the verge is in is very familiar – having grown up in Bondi, it looks a lot like Old South Head Road and the golf course in the background? Perhaps one of Onslow/Chaleyer/Owen/Roe St?
Appreciate Costa probably doesn’t want his address publicised, but can you give a hint as to where it is so I can have a look?
i have converted my front garden to a fruit and vegetable plot! with my chook tractor out the front as well. it has made my neighbours become more involved as they get curious and their kids love to come and check out the chooks.