During 2015 Melba College staff and students have collaborated with the Gould League to develop a no-dig Edible Forest Garden in the Junior campus school grounds. This collaboration was made possible due to a funding grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable fund. Year 7, 8, 9 and VCAL students attended workshops facilitated by Gould League presenter Amy Shaw. Four workshops were conducted during Term Two focusing on the Year of Soil 2015 and how valuable a resource soil is and how beneficial soil is for providing our food supply. The workshops focused on how to create and improve soil by using the no-dig method in two open areas of the school yard to create an edible forest garden. These areas are located next to some wooden fruit boxes which are also part of the edible forest garden and have been planted with perennial vegetables, fruit tree and herbs during the workshops.
This week on Monday September 7th Year 703 Food Technology students and teachers Mrs. Alban and Mrs. Kirby and Teacher Aides Mrs. Eaton and Mrs. Gervasoni planted a range of fruit trees, herbs and perennial fruit and vegetables in the no-dig garden area. The purchase of a wide range of food plants was possible due to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable fund grant and were purchased from Edible Forest Garden Nursery in Wonga Park. John Ferris a permaculturalist and Edible Forest Garden expert facilitated a workshop with the Year 7 students showing them how to dig a hole and plant and prune the fruit trees.
VCAL students will be attending a workshop early next term to add more plants to the garden. We look forward to the further development of the garden and the opportunity to harvest organic, fresh produce to use in Food Technology classes, the canteen and wider community.