Moss Vale Community Garden (MVCG) adopts practices that nurture the land on which we grow as well as the people who connect with the garden. Strategies and processes are drawn from several interconnected approaches:

Organic growing values soil and human health through a diversity of plant species and the use of ‘closed systems’ that minimises external inputs. MVCG grows a huge range of annual and perennial food plants, fruit trees, herbs and flowers. All organic waste is recycled through an extensive network of compost bays and vermicomposting systems. 

Permaculture involves the conscious design of the landscape that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. David Holmgren, along with Bill Mollison coined the term Permaculture in the 1970s. Holmgren suggests that Permaculture principles provide an organising framework involving systems and design thinking to plan for food, fibre and energy production. Permaculture has guided decision making of MVCG’s infrastructure that includes fencing, sheds, a hot house, a straw bale shelter and pizza oven, garden beds and water management systems. Members continue to provide education that promotes the importance of caring for the environment, composting, recycling and reducing waste as well as food growing.

Regenerative systems improve the environment, soil, plants, animal welfare and communities. Gardening methods focus largely on no-dig systems that promote the health of the soil microbiome through increasing soil organic matter (SOM) and fertility. This is achieved by recycling organic matter through composting systems and sourcing local organic ‘waste’ donations such as manures and mulch. MVCG further reduces use of natural resources by recycling and reusing materials, solar electricity generation and rainwater water harvesting systems.