DIY gardening in Sydney communities

If you are based in Sydney, would like to boost your green thumb and get to know your neighbours a little better, you might want to enquire about the Edible Outdoor Rooms project.

This idea, spearheaded by Sam Crawford Architects on Foster Street in Surry Hills, has been backed with a $20,000 grant from the City of Sydney and will be kick-started today (January 16) with dozens of edible plants placed in concrete pipes on the street.

Lord mayor Clover Moore asserted that the first plants will include lettuce, beetroot and spinach, as well as a variety of fresh kitchen herbs such as rosemary, sage, parsley and thyme. Strawberries will also feature in the new planting scheme.

"The idea is to help people connect with nature and get to know their neighbours," said Moore.

Even if you don't live in Surry Hills, there's no reason why you can't start a DIY garden of your own.

All of the plants mentioned by Moore can be grown in climates right across Australia - and edible gardens mean that you'll also have the added benefit of enjoying fresh, organic vegetables all summer long.