Nestled on an average suburban 1482sq.m. block in Maida Vale, JETTO’S Patch is no ordinary garden but a veritable treasure for anyone interested in sustainability, permaculture, staying healthy and of course growing food!
The garden was created by Maida Vale residents Michelle and Dario Franzinelli, and started life as fledgling herb, vegetable and cottage garden in the average Aussie backyard with a lawn and a few trees. An idea was born to create a garden that could be eaten from all year round where every plant and tree was useful, edible or gave something back in several ways. Whether this was even achievable in a suburban block with the arid climate conditions and sandy soils of Perth was questionable. Over the years, JETTO’s Patch has been transformed and has become a continuing experiment as to the range of what can be grown in the Perth climate – the list has become surprisingly large! As the garden has expanded, using the garden to preserve rare or unusual plants and heritage seeds has also become important. Today, JETTO’S Patch is a four season edible garden with roughly 56 fruit trees, 34 citrus trees, 23 vines, 18 pomes, 11 nut trees, 6 musa, 5 grass clumps, 4 cactus, 163 seasonal veggies and 144 seasonal herbs. The garden follows the principles of permaculture and sustainability. Everything is grown by working with nature and not against it – no synthetic fertilisers or pesticides are used, everything is done organically and sustainably. All materials e.g. trellises, structures and ornaments are made from recycled material.
JETTO’S Patch proves that an enormous amount of food can be grown in a relatively small space, and in many different ways, which does not have to adhere to specific rule or theory, and can be done organically and sustainably – something that is becoming increasing important worldwide. JETTO’S Patch provides year round produce, the surplus of which is preserved for later. Like any garden it has crop success and failures and is a work in progress, as is Nature itself.
JETTO’S Patch has its own Facebook page with over 1200 members who share pictures, information and solve edible food gardening problems. Michelle and Dario also open the garden to sustainability groups and any other group or individual interested in what they do best – growing some amazing food!
To join the JETTO’S Patch Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/JETTOSPATCH/