Arabic version: الإذن أساسي عند قطف منتجات الحدائق

According to SBS News, Australians who see ripe fruit, vegetables or herbs growing in a front garden or on a verge should seek permission before taking any produce. The guidance says taking food from another person’s garden without permission can be considered trespass and theft, even where the produce is visible from the street.

Jarrad Duggan, who leads the community safety team at the City of Fremantle, said people cannot enter another person’s property and take items without permission. He said the same principle generally applies to produce on a verge: although the land is council land, permission to remove produce must come from the person living at or owning the adjoining property, not the council.

People can ask by knocking on the door or leaving a polite note, and should confirm how much they may take without damaging the plant. Permission is not needed when produce has clearly been offered for free, such as a box of lemons on a verge marked with a “free” sign. Nedlands resident Andrea Sciubba said she puts excess lemons from her old backyard tree in a box by her letterbox for people to help themselves.

Rules for growing fruit, vegetables or herbs on a verge outside a person’s own property vary between local councils. The verge, also called a nature strip, is generally public land managed by the local council, while the adjoining owner or occupant is usually responsible for routine maintenance such as mowing.

For people without room to grow food at home, community gardens can provide another option. Hurstville Community Garden in suburban Sydney has a communal gardening area and more than 30 individual plots. Member Sofia Carvajal said gardens offer opportunities to learn about planting, soil, composting and plant care, while also sharing produce and building community. Membership and waiting lists differ between gardens, and most provide tools for participants.