A garden that rarely needs to be watered is soaking up the land in West Broadway.
It's called permaculture, or permanent agriculture, and it honours indigenous practices to support the long-term health of people and the land.
It’s a method used at Klinic Garden, where novice gardener Jozef de Beer turned to for gardening tips.
"How I could learn about indigenous food and indigenous gardening methods,” said de Beer.
The garden is run by land steward Audrey Logan, who has been working with plants most of her life.
The style of gardening at this site has evolved over the years, with Logan taking over in 2014 to create a permaculture site.
"Some people look at the garden like it's a bit messy, but it's very diverse," said Logan.
What's different about this garden is how little it needs to be watered. A system of old barrels and pipes working together helps keep plants quenched.
That water is all that’s used, and Logan said it’s used as medicinal water, meaning certain plants are put in the water to fortify it. This adds potassium and phosphorus to help the plants grow.
At Klinic Garden, you won't find anyone raking or hoeing.
Logan said when they first took over the land, they built the soil up.
“We split the soil to where we put straw and leaves and humus material, and then took that excess soil and put it over top."
She said the garden is thriving with blooms, beans, and berries.
Logan uses the garden as an opportunity to share her knowledge for free.
"Because you need to touch, feel, smell. You have to be able to be tactile with it. With the earth, with the plants, to know it."
She hopes people will take what they learn and apply it to their own gardens.
Like volunteer Jozef de Beer.
"Yeah, I'd like to do more and more gardening, and as I improve my techniques, I'd like to go on and help other people as well," said de Beer.
Logan said Klinic Garden is for the whole community... And welcomes anyone to stop in, whether it's to eat, learn, or help.
