About Us
The Little Veggie Patch Co (LVPC) is a business dedicated to helping people grow food and we believe it is something that everyone can do, regardless of your skill-set or space at your disposal. So no matter whether you live in an inner city apartment or a block of land in the sprawling suburbs, LVPC will have you growing your own produce in no time.
Our History
Our business began in 2008 installing raised garden beds and larger edible gardens in peoples' homes. Growing food for other people was very much a niche at the time, but one that was expanding alongside the slow food movement and a heightened awareness of the origins of our produce. Since then our installations have moved towards a style of smaller space gardening; taking on the ideas of permaculture and combining them with the constraints of space and time. Quickly, our raised garden beds became recycled apple crates and our veggie crates have become a product tied to the identity of our business ever since.
Heirloom Seeds
In 2009 we released our first range of heirloom seeds, starting with four varieties of LVPC’s vegetable soulmate: the tomato. It seemed the perfect starting point.
The range now has over 60 varieties and continues to grow alongside the demand for heirloom seeds. We believe that growing and saving such seeds will ensure that tomatoes continue to taste like tomatoes and we encourage you all to join us in keeping real food alive!
Books
In 2011 we released ‘How to Grow Food in Small Spaces’ which has become the best-selling gardening book in Australia, with over 100,000 copies sold. Five books later - with our most recent title 'Grow Food Anywhere' - and publishing has become a process we truly enjoy, particularly the challenge of finding a language and style that talks to today’s edible gardeners. They’re just like us, normal people who love food!
Pop Up Patch
Fed Square Pop Up Patch (PUP) opened in 2012 and ran until December 2016. PUP was 140 veggie plots on a carpark rooftop and that become our edible gardening club, giving inner city residents and businesses the opportunity to grow produce in the most urban of locations. PUP was a finalist in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 City of Melbourne Awards (in the category of Contribution of a Business/Corporation to the Community & Sustainability).
Our Future
As the demand for locally grown, better-tasting food grows, LVPC continues to grow alongside it. We want to speak to new and experienced gardeners alike, showing that growing produce is for anyone interested in the food experience and not difficult.
Ultimately, LVPC wants to live the best of country life in the city, the highlight of which is not only sharing produce with our friends and family, but also the experience.