Page 20 - Issue-137

FEATURE

Case Study
Julia Gardens Sustainability Precinct

Frank Edwards, a retail nurseryman and the Paperbark thorn (Vachellia sieberiana), protect the soil and climbers such as Shushu,
landscaper, transformed a small public park Natal fig (Ficus natalensis), Broom cluster fig African horned cucumber, lablab and lima
on Julia Road next to his home in Durban (Ficus sur) and Dune soapberry (Deinbollia beans scramble up trees and supports along
and converted the ground into a productive oblongifolia) mingle with the fruit trees, the swales at different times of the year.
food forest in 2009. It is free to be used by the attracting bats, birds and other wildlife. A small section is dedicated to growing
local community. Edwards has a background Indigenous nitrogen fixing species such as seasonal, sun-loving salads and greens.
in town planning and became inspired Pink bush pea (Tephrosia grandiflora), Cape This entire plant mix is a delightful palette
by Geoff Lawton’s vision of food forests, rattle-pod (Crotalaria capensis) and Coral of both indigenous and exotic material and
enrolling in an international permaculture trees (erythrina lysistemon) dot the swales, is a living demonstration of how to blend the
planning course. He then approached the while Kei-apple (Dovyalis caffra), Puzzle two in a productive, harmonious manner.
municipality to allow him to maintain the bush (ehretia rigida), Amatungulu (Carissa Visit their Facebook page: Julia Gardens
park, and selected suitable local indigenous macrocarpa), African medlar (Vangueria Sustainability Precinct
trees to form the backbone of the future infausta) and Wild plum (Harpephyllum https://www.facebook.com/profile.
food forest. caffrum) provide wildlife and people with php?id=100064896218668
The park is 1700 m in extent and houses nutritious, indigenous fruit.
2
over 160 edible, useful and indigenous plant Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and wild About the author
species. Mature jackfruit, mango, avocado dagga shrubs (Leonotis leonurus), sunflowers,
and tamarind trees create the canopy, asparagus, chillies, and a range of Dr Jonathan Foley is a lecturer,
under which grows a younger layer of herbaceous and medicinal plants, including landscape designer, writer and
pecan and macadamia nut trees, moringa comfrey, basil, rosemary, lemongrass, vetiver, consultant. He may be contacted on
and jaboti caba. Pawpaw, banana, cassava, amaranth, turmeric, ginger and alfalfa, Groundlevellandscaping5@gmail.com
curry and numerous varieties of citrus form occupy the understory. Ground covering
the understory. Indigenous trees such as cowpeas, butternuts and sweet potatoes Images below: Frank Edwards/ Vanessa Meintjies

Julia Road Precint meandering pathway Layering in the food forest Julia Road Precinct

Herbs, vegetables and fruit trees blend in the food forest Pawpaw and banana planting guilds together with Acacia canopy trees n

18 Landscape SA • Issue 137 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za