Vegies every which way!

While attending the launch of this season's Open Garden Scheme yesterday at the wonderful City Farm in East Perth, we were given a guided tour of the permaculture gardens. I loved these innovative rat and snail deterrents (left) using plastic bottles. I imagine they would probably make a fairly good barrier for caterpillars as well. Most soft bellied critters don't exactly rejoice in feeling a sharp piece of plastic scoring their undersides.

The edible wall pictured below - apologies for quality of pic -  is another interesting way to grow plants but it must be done properly. Vertical walls require excellent reticulation systems, regular maintenance and they need to be shaded in summer, as, being vertical, the plants tend to dry out a lot more quickly than if they are growing in the ground. 

At the meeting it brought cheer to my heart to see grants from Open Gardens Australia given to two well deserving community garden groups. One of the grants went towards building a new pergola and pathway  for people with disabilities so they too can enjoy the garden. These grants are made possible by keen gardeners opening their gardens to the public and of course, the people who pay the small entry fee to visit them. 

It made me reflect on how healing gardening can be in so many different ways.  I just watched an episode of Gardening Australia where there is a substantial garden complete with chooks, in a Victorian maximum security prison. This is helping to rehabilitate prisoners and get them back into nature. 

After the Open Garden meeting I took a stroll along the East Perth foreshore redevelopment which was a very pleasant experience and had me wishing I'd brought my bike. It was so picturesque along the river with all the cranking cafes and inner city pads flanking each side. I snapped this pic of the funky veg planter  below in the alfresco area of a cafe. There are so many creative ways we can grow vegies, even with little space.

    Why not experiment yourself with unusual pots, such as olive oil cans or even old kettles with holes in the base? Whatever container you decide on, if it is metal, please place in semi-shade in summer - as they do heat up a fair bit.