BACKYARD blitzes are all the rage but a garden makeover with a difference is underway in Seaford. Volunteers are hard at work creating a “chemical free food forest” at Newton St.
The Seaford Community Food Forest Garden will aim to give visitors hands on experience of permaculture principles used to grow food.
Permaculture designer Mithrael Dumais has teamed up with Swinburne University lecturer Matthew Mitchell, Riviera Preschool Centre manager Rebecca Hammond and John Mackenzie to spend time establishing the food forest garden.
Permaculture is the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
“Once established, the local kinder kids, playgroups, primary schools and community members will be invited to events to further raise money for our extensive edible garden paradise and to create a suitable place to facilitate permaculture workshops for the community to get some hands on life skills,” Ms Dumais said.
“We support the pollinators, Indigenous native plants and ‘leave no trace and conscious play’ spaces. We now have approval to keep bees, run bee awareness workshops and have chickens and guinea pigs.”
The group aims to raise $10,000 to buy water tanks and outdoor structures using sustainable building techniques in the garden.
Businesses who donate more than $250 will have names added to a contributors’ wall to let visitors know about their contribution to the community space.
See gofundme.com/seafordfoodforest for further project and donation details.
