Gifted gardeners to open their gates

Published 5:00am 19 March 2023

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

Green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts will converge on Moreton Bay this May for the return of the hugely popular Samford Edible Garden Trail.

This year’s event, held on May 20 and 21, will feature 14 edible gardens and farms for visitors to explore.

The trail aims to inspire people to gain the knowledge they need to grow their own food at home, as well as understand the importance of supporting small-scale growers.

Following sold out events in 2021 and 2022, founder Susanne Engelhard says this year’s event will feature several new gardens and experiences which is sure to wow people.

“Out of the 14 gardens that are involved in this year’s trail, nine of them will be open for the first time,” Susanne says.

“We have had a big influx of people who are wanting to be part of the trail, which is fantastic.

“One of the big points of interest last year was small garden spaces on suburban blocks, so we are very excited to offer four gardens that meet that criteria this year.

“For people who are interested in permaculture, there will be three gardens who demonstrate this.

“One of them is a new garden that was only established 18 months ago, which is very early days for this garden.”

This year, Susanne will also welcome visitors to her own garden for the first time.

“My garden is based on edible gardening using the five easy principals I follow, including no dig gardening,” Susanne says.

Considering this, Susanne hopes to run several workshops around these principles later in the year.

Throughout the course of the weekend, a maker and growers’ market will also be held at Millen Farm which will be open to ticket holders and the wider community where people will have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce.

If you haven’t visited the trail before, Susanne says there will be something for everyone.

“If you’re someone who is wanting to grow food in your own backyard and want to know ways and clever techniques, you will find every example of edible gardening right here on the Samford Edible Garden Trail.”

See a sneak peek of the gardens in the gallery below. Photos supplied by Mary-Ann Shapcott.

Highlights of the weekend

The Creative Village Patch – Several structures in the garden all build by hand from recycled materials, as well as a greenhouse, chook house, subby, white picket fence, creative replica fireplaces and raised vegetable/herb garden beds.
The Outhouse Permaculture Garden – A one-and-a-half year-old garden bed based on permaculture plans, verge garden raised with natural woven fencing and smart methods of water use, directing water through the property with drainage, using contours and mini swales.
The Swales and Circles Garden – Four swales ranging from 30-100 metres along the hillside working with natural water flow, as well as more than 100 varieties of fruit trees including some older trees.
Reclaimed Edible Oasis – A main garden area with wide grassed paths between raised vegetable beds and adjoining raised fruit tree beds, a frog pond with frog hotel and chook and duck houses (in progress).
Potager on Shale - Several varieties of finger lime and native raspberries, as well as trellises and frames for netting used in the raised beds.
Millen Farm - Permaculture approaches applied to a productive farm, weed tea fertigation methods, plus enjoy a picnic overlooking the market garden.
My Food Garden – Discover tips for organic gardening and intercropping and other design features for maximising growth while regenerating the soil.
The Productive Italian Garden – A orchard with six long rows, grapes for table and wine making, cider apples, variety of stone fruits, citrus, olives and raspberries, plus a top bar bee hive and native bee hive.
The Live, Work and Grow Garden - Creative, clever use of small space with formal vegetable beds, verge garden full of edibles and flowers including sweet potato, plus worm farms and bokashi bins.
Loop Growers - Composting systems such as worm farms; chickens and goats for manure; hot compost piles, plus ways to promote creek health, including weed eradication and revegetation.
The Farmyard - A food forest, mix of perennial and annual plantings and worm farms.