Edible Backyard Safari returns to Katikati gardens in March

Grow On Katikati is inviting Western Bay of Plenty residents to visit five local gardens on 1 March as part of its second Edible Backyard Safari, an event designed to spark ideas and inspiration for growing food at home. Spokesperson Jizzy Green said the safari grew out of members wanting to see how other growers were doing things, with the 2024 edition proving popular enough to bring back.

This year's five hosts will each run mini-workshops when visitors arrive, sharing different techniques suited to a range of situations and skill levels. One of the gardens features an owner who enrolled in a permaculture design course at the same time as starting his garden, meaning visitors can see a project actively in progress rather than a polished, finished result — something Green said could feel less overwhelming for newcomers.

Recognising that not everyone has a large section, the safari also includes Tash Haskins, who manages a very small town garden but gets impressive yields from it. Her workshop will focus on how to grow the maximum amount of food in a limited space — a timely focus given that newer subdivisions across the Western Bay are offering increasingly compact sections.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).