Opening of the rain garden at William Angliss Institute

The rain garden will be a model food garden designed to assist in teaching students how to grow, harvest and use a variety of plants in their catering. The 472-square-metre site was previously an unloved and underutilised area, wedged between multi-storey buildings. Now it is a calm, green productive space, designed by Karen Sutherland. It is also a student-friendly social space and provides a series of microclimates enabling more than 100 species to be grown, most of which are for use in the nearby culinary kitchens. Edible flowers are used in garnishes for desserts, leaves from plants such as lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) are used to flavour dishes, and various trees & shrubs produce edible fruits such as pomegranate (Punica granatum), finger limes (Citrus australasica) and cumquat (Citrus obovata). Watch the recent video on Garden Australia discussing the garden.

At the opening, Open Gardens Victoria will also launch its ‘Green City’ initiative, which pushes for more events and open gardens that celebrate growing plants and food in smaller urban spaces – whether it be indoors, on balconies, in courtyards, nature strips, roofs or community plots.

Talks will be given by: Karen Sutherland, garden designer; Jon Belling, indigenous food and plants; and Nick Rose.

Tastes and treats on offer will include: ‘Plant to Plate’ – patisserie and bakery; and Streat – social enterprise pop-up cafe.