How a patch of lawn became a community lifeline through permaculture
In short: Nine years ago, it was just a bare patch of grass. Today, the Seeds garden in Brunswick is a thriving hub of connection, using no-dig principles to bridge the gap between people living with disabilities and their local neighbors through the shared language of plants.
Located on Wurundjery Woi Wurrung Country in Brunswick, Victoria, the Seeds garden project began as a vision by Milparinka to transform an underutilized lawn into a substantial resource. Managed by Jo Townsend, the garden operates on the principles of permaculture and no-dig gardening. The philosophy is rooted in efficiency and utility: the goal is for every single plant introduced to the soil to serve multiple purposes, ensuring the garden provides maximum value to its participants.
The garden functions as a social engine, hosting garden club sessions twice a week. These gatherings allow people living with disabilities to connect with local residents over horticulture, followed by the shared ritual of food and drink. This social cohesion extends far beyond the garden gates through the distribution of harvests. In most years, the site produces approximately one tonne of food. While much of this is shared among the gardeners, a significant portion is distributed to the wider community via food relief organizations and a community cupboard located on the footpath.
The project's impact has scaled significantly over time. What began as a simple desire to share a few pumpkins has evolved into an annual soup festival that now attracts more than 1,000 visitors. Beyond human connection, the garden is also tackling environmental waste. A recently installed food-waste dehydrator processes scraps collected from local businesses, turning vegetable waste into usable fertilizer over an 8 to 10 hour cycle. This machine has already diverted 2,000 kg of food from landfill, with the resulting nutrient-rich fertilizer being delivered to local schools and other community organizations.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A garden project fostering inclusive community connection | Garden Inspiration | Gardening Australia
- Also: www.rhs.org.uk — Garden inspiration
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