You would be hard pressed to buy fresher produce than Symonds Street’s Organic Market Garden (OMG). Twice a week, the densely-planted garden is harvested to feed the local community. In 2018, landowner City Rail Link approached charitable trust For the Love of Bees, which came up with a pitch for an organic market garden and learning centre.

Three years on and two tonnes of salad mix later, Uptown has a healthy resource on its doorstep and a great case study proving that urban farming works. Set among the concrete jungle, this community-supported agriculture (CSA) project has flourished, producing fresh food to feed the Uptown community. The 310sq m site employs two people and grows 50 crops year-round that are harvested weekly into 35 vegetable boxes for local families. Local is defined by being able to walk to the farm and collect your veggies.

But this urban farm is much more than somewhere to pick up a weekly healthy hit. OMG has a clear vision and enduring belief that regenerative farming – farming that is improving the soil and ecosystems can build resilience in communities and change the way we think about food
in Auckland, Aotearoa and ultimately the world.

“We have a raft of different ways for people to get involved with the farm,” says Levi Brinsdon-Hall, head gardener, farmer and project manager at OMG. “We want to share our knowledge and upskill others. We set out to prove urban farms work, and they do. OMG not only makes money, it does wonders for the local community, population health and biodiversity.”

Farming can take two routes, either degrading or restoring an ecosystem. The interconnectedness and circular systems of nature mean we can’t trash one part of it and expect a good outcome for any other part. Many of us have, unfortunately and unwittingly, engaged in damaging the soil and environment from long-standing campaigns that sell the message that weeds and bugs are bad and the only way to really deal with them is to spray them with chemicals. We now know chemicals degrade the environment, strip the soil of important microbes and minerals and are toxic to insects, birds and humans. 

While poisonous sprays might be the obvious culprit, there are plenty of other horticulture practices that ultimately aren’t good for soil health either.

OMG’s system of farming is focused on ecosystem restoration, says Levi. “We don’t till the land and we use a bio-intensive system, growing as many plants as close together as possible. The more diversity of plants we have in the ground, the more resilience we have and the faster we are going to build and restore the soil.” He is quick to point out OMG isn’t bothered by weeds and doesn’t use sprays that kill anything. Dense planting doesn’t leave much room for weeds to grow.

Levi’s dream is to see urban farms in every neighbourhood of Auckland. He believes they are a simple cost-effective way to create local jobs, provide less waste and increase food security. It’s hard to see any downside to urban farms, when biodiversity and regenerative farming also contribute to climate change mitigation. The social benefits are fantastic too. “We have built an amazing community of locals, volunteers and people wanting to learn new ways.”

If you’re thinking about growing your own veggies, “just start doing it” says Levi, and consider using home-made compost, healthy seedlings and going organic. Plant densely and diversely to keep out weeds. Levi says you can push the limits of what you grow in a small space and can plant 100 plants per square metre.

When they’re ready to harvest, think of the pleasure you’ll get from feeding your extended family with fresh organic vegetables.

Get involved

Volunteer

There is no experience required to volunteer; anyone can visit the garden or help out during volunteer times. Levi says rock up, it’s a great place to meet people and there’s an awesome vibe. It’s a place where people can upskill and learn how to grow food.

Tuesday and Friday:
Drop-in volunteering from sunrise until lunch-time

Wednesday:
After-work working bees

Buy from OMG

OMG has seedling and compost subscriptions open to everyone. Veggie boxes are for locals only.

Seedlings

Seedlings are a mix of OMG’s own and heritage seeds. They are offered seasonally, with summer vegetable seedlings currently on sale.

The CSA sub is $80 and contains 62 plants of 24 different species. Email omgseedlings@gmail.com

Vegetable boxes for locals

CSA veggie box service is $35 per week.

Pick-up days are Tuesday and Friday.

Email omgvegebox@gmail.com

Local Living Compost Hubs

Divert food scraps from landfill and drop them off weekly at one of five hubs. Your food will be turned into compost to be used at OMG.

Monthly subscription of $17.50.

Email omgcompost@gmail.com

Website: livingcomposthubs.org.nz