Perth Vertical Edible Garden Projects

1. Growing Gardens Project
Perth City Farm
Objective
Growing gardens is designed to
educate and motivate
individuals and small
businesses to produce their
own food, locally.
Major success
Building a first of its kind
vertical garden system which
can run using an aeroponics or
aquaponics system in Perth.
Major challenge
The materials used to construct
the wicking and intensive grow
beds were all recycled timber.
Sourcing the timber and the work
required to make it fit-for-purpose
was more time intensive than
originally anticipated.
Environment Grant Case Study
Perth City Farm received a $10,000 grant from the City of Perth in
2012/13 to build a series of garden beds and a vertical garden as a
demonstration of what can be grown in small spaces and balconies.

2.
Why the project is
important
Vertical edible gardens have
a number of positive
benefits which include
producing a local food
source, reducing the fuel
necessary for transportation
and reducing waste as
produce is only harvested
when necessary. Vertical
gardens also provide a
habitat for insects, they can
reduce the heat island effect
and have the potential to
reduce the thermal load of
buildings.
The Environment Grants
and Sponsorship Program
coordinates and help fund
environment proposals of
individuals, groups,
businesses or organisations
that are aligned with the
City’s environment priorities.
For more information on the
Program please visit the
City of Perth website
www.perth.wa.gov.au/
environment
What was done
A series of gardens have been built at the entrance to Perth City
Farm which showcase how gardens can be viable in small spaces
and balconies.
The space includes:
 High yield raised garden beds
designed to provide necessary
vegetables for one person/year;
 Potted wicking beds;
 Vertical green wall;
 Aquaponics and aeroponics systems;
 A below ground fish pond and a worm farm that provides nutrients
to the vertical garden;
 Small residential sized chicken coop; and
 A paved and covered area that will host a learning centre.
Partnerships
In addition to the City of Perth funding a number of other
partnerships were involved with building these gardens. Vertiwest
donated materials for the vertical gardens and completed the design
work. Steve Wood donated all the seedlings. Suburban Farmer
donated the chicken coop. Students from the University of Western
Australia have been documenting the inputs and plant vitality. The
Construction Training Group students used the paved areas to learn
paving and concreting skills.
Lessons Learnt
Given that the project was about growing food in small spaces, it
would have been beneficial to have a reference group. The project
could have been more targeted to the needs of the community and
the range of growing environments in the city, such as townhouses,
apartments and other small spaces.
Key Achievements
 14 gardens were built utilising 150 volunteer hours;
 1,000 seedlings from 20 species were planted;
 4kg/week of harvestable produce from the gardens; and
 20% mortality rate of the plants. This is better than expected for
a un-trialled system in Perth.
For further information on the project contact
admin@perthcityfarm.org.au or 9325 7229.