Western Bay of Plenty residents are invited to step into the world of five Katikati gardens on March 1 to inspire about what can be achieved in their own backyards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our second Edible Backyard Safari \u2013 we ran one in 2024 and it came from some of our members wanting to see other people\u2019s gardens to gain different ideas and inspiration,\u201d said Grow On Katikati spokesperson Jizzy Green.<\/p>\n
Mini workshops <\/p>\n
Green said the 2026 event will have five hosts who will run mini-workshops when safari visitors arrive, to show their different techniques on how to grow food.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is so safari-goers can look at gardening through five different lenses,\u201d said Green, who said GOK is a community group that aimed to inspire food resilience, one backyard at a time, in the Katikati district.<\/p>\n
Finn and Donna McDonald from Dr. Bucha will show people how to preserve food through nutrition-enhancing fermentation, including drinks.<\/p>\n
Seba Amman will showcase his newly built permaculture garden. \u201cAt the same he built his garden he enrolled in a permaculture design course, so he\u2019s been implementing techniques as he\u2019s learning,\u201d Green said. \u201cIt is nice for people to see something in progress, not only finished gardens or projects that can look overwhelming to some.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tash Haskins will give people tips and tricks making the most of every inch of your garden. \u201cShe has a very tiny garden in town but she is very productive in terms of what she does,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n
Smaller spaces<\/p>\n
While many WBOP residents have large sections Green said modern subdivisions and housing options were offering smaller and smaller areas to grow food. \u201cHer workshop will show how you can grow the maximum amount of food in a really small space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam Mortensen will focus of growing food with chickens in your backyard. \u201cYou will see how chickens play a role in growing food inside her established permaculture garden.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fifth garden to visit was being prepared and would be a surprise to safari-goes.<\/p>\n