Tastes of the Past – Edible Biodiversity in Our Gardens
This workshop is number 3 in the Our Gardens summer workshop series. See all workshops here.
About the Workshop
Explore the rich diversity of edible plants and reconnect with traditional knowledge from our gardens. In this interactive workshop, you’ll discover how growing a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and edible flowers can support biodiversity, strengthen resilience, and preserve local food traditions.
What You Will Learn
During this workshop, you will:
- Understand why edible biodiversity is important for resilient and sustainable gardens
- Recognise the value of heritage vegetables and local plant varieties
- Learn simple principles of polyculture and companion planting
- Discover how sharing seeds, plants, and knowledge supports biodiversity
- Reflect on the cultural and personal meaning of food and gardening
What We Will Do
This is a practical and social session, including:
- Edible Garden Walk: Explore a local garden and discover a variety of edible plants, herbs, and traditional crops
- Mini Workshop: Learn what edible biodiversity means and how diverse planting supports both people and nature
- Hands-On Activity: Design your own mixed planting (polyculture) garden bed or take part in a seed/seedling exchange
- Storytelling Circle: Share memories, recipes, and experiences connected to food and gardens
- Edible Biodiversity Plan: Choose one simple action to bring more diversity into your own garden
What You Will Take Home
- A simple plan for increasing edible biodiversity in your garden
- Ideas for combining plants using polyculture principles
- Seeds, seedlings, or inspiration from shared exchanges
- Personal stories, recipes, and new knowledge from the group
Why It Matters
Growing a diverse range of edible plants supports healthier ecosystems, improves resilience to pests and climate changes, and helps preserve local traditions. By sharing seeds, knowledge, and stories, we keep both biodiversity and cultural heritage alive within our communities.