Verge Visits: an Easy Event

For any group trying to raise their profile or awareness about their projects, verge visits are an easy win: easy to do, little effort or cost, and good for stories.

Small wins help you along the path to success. Verge garden visits are low effort events with good strategic outcomes. They help your group maintain momentum without burning out.

In Brisbane, the ACF Community Brisbane Northside group has casual verge visits as part of their members’ verge garden project to raise awareness and knowledge about biodiversity. The one on 25th January is on my verge. If you want to check out the Shady Lanes verge garden and see how the council guidelines and other factors shaped the garden, please come along. Information and register here

In Bairnsdale, East Gippsland Verge Gardens is holding an “Onsite verge garden talk and meet the Host” on Sunday 9th February. See the facebook event page

Easy for the group and the host

• Verges are public space. It doesn’t mean people coming into your garden or house.

• No catering required. If people who come to mine want a coffee, there’s a coffee shop just down the street.

• If nobody turns up, or it has to be cancelled because of bad weather, you haven’t wasted a lot of effort.

Outcomes for the group

• Provides a real life example for others who are planning their verge garden. They can see local plants in situ and get tips from the gardener.

• Opportunities to learn about the reasoning behind local council guidelines, introduce others to their group, and showcase their project and the many different reasons their members have chosen to plant a verge garden.

• Promotion for your group. Take some photos or videos and you’ve created another story to post on your websites, social media, and newsletters.

Whether you are an informal group, an incorporated association, or it’s just you trying to get something started in your area, the articles in the Group Projects section of Shady Lanes has more for you.

Austromyrtus dulcis (Midgen Berry) is an attractive, open shrub with flowers and small berries. A bush tucker food. Very hardy once established. These are low-growing and capture the fallen leaves from the street tree. Ideal for verge gardens.