Leafy Green Blue Mountains

Cittaslow Katoomba Blue Mountains has embarked on its most ambitious project to date: A Kitchen Garden in Every Blue Mountains Home.

Cittaslow has partnered with Oasis Horticulture, which will provide seedlings in a "buy one, get one free" offer, and it has produced a free Planter Box Guide with complimentary seeds, which will be given to participants who take their vouchers to local participating nurseries. "We are very excited about this project," says Anne Elliot from the Cittaslow Blue Mountains Working Party, "because it addresses key issues such as food security, community health, food miles and encourages efficient use of soil and water - critical in this era of climate change."

The Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community has provided support for the initiative by establishing a website at www. katoombachamber.comwith a section for questions and answers. Information will also be available on specially created courses ranging from a hands-on workshop for absolute beginners, to courses on planting seasonally. The website also provides a forum for participants to share their photos and stories.

It's not just homes that are being asked to turn the Blue Mountains into Sydney's rooftop garden. Owners of cafes, restaurants, hotels, B &Bs and guest houses are also encouraged to don the gardening gloves and set up kitchen gardens.

John McNaull,from Organic John the Gardener,planted a crop of coriander,parsley and rocket at Blue M Cafe in Katoomba and said, "It was a talking point with customers even before it was finished.Hopefully this will become a hallmark of cafes throughout the Blue Mountains." Cittaslow Katoomba Blue Mountains anticipates that by 2011 most Blue Mountains homes will be growing their own leafy green vegetables, and hopes that this initiative will provide the inspiration for communities across Australia to take up a similar challenge.