Landscape & permaculture design by Ben Shaw Permaculture.
On a scenic life-style property owned by a farming family, this ambitious permaculture project has transformed a portion of this large property into a thriving market garden.
Located in a rural setting of Wadawurrung Country, the design was brought to life by permaculturalist Ben Shaw, in collaboration with the landowners. This unique garden now serves not just one household, but multiple families, offering a sustainable approach to living and eating for a small community.
The Brief
The goal was simple but significant: to grow more food.
With an abundance of land and a desire to provide for family and friends, a collaborative approach to market gardening became the focus.
Instead of a traditional garden for personal use, the project evolved into a space where many hands, knowledge and skills could be shared. By working together, the garden would provide enough produce to preserve, bottle and dry, ensuring its benefits extended far beyond the immediate harvest season.
The Transformation
The journey began with clearing the site, which was initially overrun by kikuyu grass. A thick layer of straw was applied to suppress the kikuyu, and green manure crops were planted to enrich the soil before forming the beds.
Leveraging the landowners’ farming expertise, they installed large composting bays, easily managed with a tractor, as well as rabbit-proof fencing and an efficient irrigation system.
Ben Shaw guided the design with a regenerative approach, incorporating permaculture principles to ensure the garden would be productive, healthy and sustainable in the long term. The collaboration between the landowners and Shaw has shaped a space that now thrives and provides a range of crops for the families of those involved.
The Result
What began as an open plot of land is now a large-scale vegetable garden, benefitting nine families who share the produce. It also stands as an act of devotion towards climate action.
The garden has had many positive effects on the lives of those involved, with children gaining a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of a sustainable lifestyle.
The garden hosts regular working bees that culminate in gatherings around the fire pit, where homegrown meals, music and laughter create lasting memories. This collaborative effort has turned the space into more than just a garden — it’s a place where people grow together.
Key Plant List
Perennials and fruit trees have been incorporated around the border of the market garden.
Key crops include:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Pumpkins
- Potatoes
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