Tickets are on sale from today to the Margaret River region's Edible Gardens Festival, coming up May 11 and 12 and featuring open gardens, workshops and a free community sundowner.
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The annual gardening and sustainability festival has sold out in the past three years, so organisers Trevor Paddenburg and Valerie Vallee are urging people to get in quick to secure their spot and avoid disappointment.
"With only a week until Valentine's Day, we reckon a ticket to one or both days of the Festival would make the perfect present for green thumbs," Ms Vallee said. "We've also donated 10 free tickets to the Margaret River Community Pantry to make learning more about food-growing and gardening more accessible to its patrons."
Margaret River Mitre 10 is again supporting the event, offering 20 percent off all fruit trees, potted plants and seedlings for ticket-holders in the seven days following the festival.
For the first time, there will be Saturday and Sunday tickets priced at $15 each, with four open edible gardens each day from 9am-1pm.
That'll be followed by small-group, 90-minute workshops (ticketed separately) in the afternoons on topics including mastering composting, wicking beds and other waterwise tips, advanced soil management, and garden tool maintenance - hosted by expert teachers at Fair Harvest Permaculture.
Festival-goers who get in early can reserve a ticket to the free community sundowner where there are plans for an expert gardener Q&A panel, live music, raffle, door prizes, hot food and drinks.
Already confirmed on the program is nutritionist-turned-food producer Amy Dyson's leased garden plot, where she indulges her passion for growing brassicas, bitter greens and heirloom vegetables.
A new collection of more than a dozen Witchcliffe Ecovillage gardens will be on the program, making it a one-stop-shop to see a broad range of approaches and techniques.
Also featuring is Karridale couple Gary and Lisa Browne's pumping veggie patch, newly planted orchard and market garden.
There will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the Glenarty Road farm market garden, where head gardener Martine Suprenant grows enough food every week for more than 500 restaurant meals.
"We're really excited for the festival and can't wait share our garden and growing tips with everyone who comes to visit," Martine said.
Mr Paddenburg said the event wouldn't be possible without the support of groups and businesses including the AMR Shire, Margaret River Regional Environment Centre, Fair Harvest Permaculture, Margaret River Mitre 10, Yates Australia's organic range, South West Tree Services, Shogun Tools, Shelter Brewing Co and Stella Bella Wines.
"It's a real privilege to play a role in connecting community and empowering people with knowledge and inspiration to get their hands dirty, grow their own food and have fun in the process," he said.
See ediblegardensfestival.au for tickets and info.
