This article is a summary of the podcast conversation “18. The Community Garden Where Veggies Meet Biodiversity “. Listen to the full episode on Spotify podcasts or Apple podcasts, and go here for the relevant links mentioned in the podcast. Read on for the summarised topics from the episode.

The Community Garden Where Veggies Meet Biodiversity

Ever wondered whether community gardens are there just for veggie growing? In this episode, you’ll hear how one local community garden is evolving from a growing food-only garden to becoming a biodiversity haven.

Joining me is Katie Ryan from The Groundswell Collective. Katie’s role at The Shelley Street Community Garden is helping guide the garden from purely food production to something more suited to the area. The garden is moving towards building an ecosystem that supports native species, the permaculture principles and the whole community.

Let’s hear her story to see how the garden unfolded and continues to grow and change…

Overview of the Conversation

How The Groundswell Collective became a steward of the garden to benefit the whole community
The garden’s development follows two phases:
- Phase one is “to produce as much as we can, give some back to the volunteers who are helping and then share it with our neighbours,” while
- Phase two considers the non-human community—“you need to provide food for the pollinators as well as providing food for people. They go hand in hand.”
What building connection and community means to the garden and its people

“with increased urbanisation…places like Shelley Street Community Garden become more important to communities so people can be in touch with nature a lot more”

Creating a thriving space starts with understanding the land, weather, people, and resources—“it’s unfolded at a slower pace than I’m probably used to working with, but more at the pace of nature.”
What makes a community garden both challenging and successful. From shifting needs to portable infrastructure, adaptability is key—“it’s the same for anything, a garden changes all the time.”
Tips for finding or starting a community garden you love being part of

This episode of The ReNewy Living Podcast was recorded on Awabakal country. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.

I hope you’re feeling more confident about doing better for our people and planet by taking a start where you live approach to living sustainably. If this episode has spurred you into action, please feel free to share the episode with your friends. It would mean the world to me!

Listen into the stories and voices of this story here at Spotify podcasts and here at Apple Podcasts… And you can also sign up to my regular emails here… I look forward to sharing more stories with you next time.

The Community Garden Where Veggies Meet Biodiversity

Links from the Podcast Episode (S3 Ep18)

The Groundswell Collective – to create a thriving, connected and sustainable future for Lake Macquarie and beyond.
Community Gardens Australia – connects city farms and community gardens around Australia