Dig in: everything you need to know about the Edible Gardens Festival

Across one autumn weekend in May, the Margaret River Region’s Edible Gardens Festival invites you to step into a collection of productive, food-growing gardens and welcoming you in to learn, connect and get inspired.

Running from 22–24 May, this much-loved local event returns in 2026, stretching across three days and bringing together gardeners, growers and curious visitors from across the region and beyond.

This isn’t a polished garden showcase, it’s something far more useful. It gives you access to a curated selection of edible gardens, from suburban backyards to rural properties and community plots, each one shaped by the people who tend them. You’ll wander through veggie beds and orchards, spot worm farms and compost systems in action, and see how locals are tackling everything from water-wise growing to improving soil health.

At every stop, the gardeners themselves are there, sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the practical tips you won’t find in a book. Expect informal “gardener talks” throughout the morning, plus live demonstrations that bring techniques to life.

Once you’ve gathered ideas (and probably a long mental to-do list), the festival’s afternoon workshops offer a chance to dive deeper.

Across the weekend, a lineup of expert-led sessions covers everything from composting and soil health to water-wise gardening and building productive systems at home.

New for 2026, the program expands even further, with more workshops, new speakers and fresh topics designed to help you take your garden from hopeful to thriving.

Whether you’re growing herbs on a balcony or planning a full backyard overhaul, there’s something for everyone.

While the gardens are the heart of the festival, the atmosphere is unmistakably social.

At each location, you’ll find small moments that bring it all together local produce, plant sales, garden demos and the chance to chat with growers and fellow visitors.

There’s a strong sense of community here, a shared curiosity about how to live a little lighter on the land, grow your own food and reconnect with where it comes from.

And in 2026, there’s even more reason to linger, with new additions like a long table lunch bringing people together over seasonal, locally grown food.

The festival runs across three days, with different gardens open each day — meaning you can dip in for one day or go all in and experience the full program.

Mornings are dedicated to exploring open gardens (typically from 9am–1pm), while afternoons shift into workshops and deeper learning sessions.

Getting around is part of the experience too. You can self-drive, carpool, or jump on the festival bus — a low-impact way to travel between gardens and soak it all in without the hassle.

And true to its ethos, the festival encourages you to tread lightly: bring a KeepCup, pack a reusable container, and embrace a slower, more considered way of spending the day.

Because it’s not just about gardens. It’s about reconnecting; with food, with the land, and with the people who are quietly growing something meaningful here in the region.

You don’t need to be a seasoned gardener. You don’t even need a garden. Just a bit of curiosity, and a willingness to see what might grow.