Bit by bit, the lawn at Jason Hauser’s home is being swallowed by a bounty-filled edible food garden.
His Booval garden is being featured in the Sustainable Open Garden Trail on 5 October, as part of Sustainable Ipswich celebrations.
On this standard urban block there are lots of special things happening, and plenty of ideas that can be used in gardens across Ipswich.
One of the sections that was – until recently – standard lawn, has been transformed into a lush edible garden. Along a small looping path, plants such as bananas and arrowroot are interspersed with native plants such as the resilient Australian peanut tree, native basil, native mulberries and native raspberry.
Other areas of the yard feature fruit trees suited to our subtropical climate such as black sapote and paw paw, with natives ranging from midgen berry, native tamarind to the limeberry – also known as ‘gin berry’ for its distinctive flavour.
“I was strictly ‘if it’s not edible it doesn’t go in’ but researching ways to improve food gardens I’ve slowly delved into ornamentals and herbs,” Jason said.
“It’s now about 50/50.”
Native raspberry in Jason’s garden, featured in Sustainable Open Garden Trail on 5 October 2024.
These features also provide habitat – from the border of barbed-wire grass, to the logs and thick mulch, and clusters of plantings providing protection for small creatures.
Jason said he has been excited by some of the wildlife that has started appearing since replacing the grass with layers of plants, including blue tongued lizard, frogs, white crowned snake and worm skinks, giant centipedes and ring-tailed possums.
The gardens featured in the Sustainable Open Garden Trail are part of council’s Habitat Gardens program, which designed to help people with urban blocks make a positive contribution to Ipswich’s environmental outcomes.
Jason’s garden also showcases how to successfully grow a variety of plants in pots, often important for those with limited space, or living in rental properties.
While Jason said he will keep some of the grass for his young daughters, he is also very proud of how they are enjoying creating their own gardening projects and growing everything from leafy greens to paper daisies.
For those visiting during the Sustainable Open Garden Trail, there will be plenty of ideas for how to transform a standard urban garden into something special for both their family and the environment.
Embracing a more Sustainable Ipswich
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said the Sustainable Ipswich program was full of free and low-cost events in October and November.
“Sustainable Ipswich is an annual celebration of everyday actions we can take as a community to create a more liveable city,” Cr Madden said.
“By working together, we can protect and enhance our environment for current and future generations.”
Find the full program of events and activities at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability