Turning The Sidewalks Green

Do you live in an apartment or small house? Do you crave a green patch for growing veges? Then why not do what the Johnstones did, and grow a garden on your street verge.

The couple, from inner-city Marrickville in Sydney, always wanted to grow their own food, but their backyard was too small. Established two years ago, their street garden now produces spinach, artichoke, rhubarb, peas, potatoes, beans, broccoli and beetroot. A nearby tree bears a passionfruit vine and a sign telling passersby to help themselves.

“We have more than we can consume,” Mrs Johnstone says, “so we are more than happy to share.”

What a great idea! Most city and suburban sidewalk strips contain only a straggly patch of grass and more, often than not, a small, poorly-pruned native tree. With petrol becoming more and more expensive and foot costs set to soar, it makes sense to grow as much of our own food as possible. I can’t quite see fields of wheat and barley running down the street but surely enough to provide your household fruit and veg needs. Now just to get the councils on board.

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