A permaculture garden owned by passionate environmentalists, both with extensive experience, expertise and appropriate educational qualifications

A glimpse of the brightly painted house peeping through the dense foliage of the Urban Jungle Sustainable Garden is the first indication that this is not your usual suburban garden!

Committed environmentalists Chris, with a degree in Environmental Science, and Emeritus Professor John Boland, whose expertise covers many areas of environmental science, including solar energy technologies, have created a garden that provides 30% of their food and has a minimal ecological footprint.

For thirty years, using permaculture techniques, they have organically fed the soil, planted food crops, harvested rain in tanks and swales to ensure no water leaves the site, and reused grey water.  Appropriate plant selections have increased biodiversity and habitat for fauna. A frog pond has become a healthy habitat for four frog species.

No chemicals are used, and every little piece of available organic material is composted, creating humus-rich soil that produces generous crops of nutritious vegetables.

Ninety different fruit and nut trees, including some native bush tucker species, provide year-
round yields as well as shade, shelter and natural air conditioning. The trees are densely planted, but careful pruning has made the space beneath their canopies accessible and usable.

The garden exemplifies sustainable practices—planting where plants will prosper, provide shade, attract beneficial insects, or serve as companion plants. Recycled materials are used for paths, pots and as support structures.

The benefits are abundant: healthy produce and reduced water and power consumption. Dense planting means summer maximum temperatures are 6-10 degrees lower than neighbouring properties, whilst night temperatures are slightly warmer.

An inspiring, thriving, resilient, environmentally friendly, productive garden—continually evolving!

Chris and John will share their expertise and the integration of house and garden by taking small-group ‘walk and talks’ around the garden at regular intervals throughout the day.