Gifted gardeners to open their gates

For gardening enthusiasts Rob and Pauline Reed, their backyard is their pride and joy.

The Samford couple has spent decades working to create their own little sanctuary, which features a 75sqm vegetable garden, more than 30 citrus trees and 28 dragon fruit stands.

While their family and friends enjoy the space regularly, one weekend a year Rob and Pauline welcome members of the public to explore their property as part of the Samford Edible Garden Trail.

Held from May 18-19, the trail offers visitors the opportunity to tour more than a dozen registered gardens and learn how they too can grow their own food at home.

Rob says he loves passing on what he has learnt to other green thumbs.

“We purchased this block in 1987 and it has taken us more than 30 years to get the garden to what it is today,” Rob says.

“It wasn’t always easy, and sometimes we had to start over, but we kept learning and growing until we got it right.

“I have learnt a lot about gardening, and I like to share that knowledge with other people.”

This will be the second time the couple has been part of the trail.

“Last year we had more than 600 people visit us over the two days. We loved talking to everyone who came and can’t wait to do it again,” Pauline says.

“This year we plan to open more spaces for people to enjoy.”

Other edible goodies found in their garden include macadamia trees, grumichama trees, blueberries, bananas, finger limes, ginger, chilli, pepino, passionfruit, native basils and various edible flowers.

“Everything we grow in our garden we eat, so it is important to us that we plant things we like,” Rob says.

Throughout the course of the weekend, visitors will learn about different gardening techniques such as permaculture designs, swales, raised garden beds, compost bays, square foot gardening, fruit tree guilds and orchards.

Organisers of the Samford Edible Garden Trail are also hoping to host a panel discussion with guest speakers at the Samford Farmers Hall on Saturday night.

As a volunteer-based, not-for-profit-group, all money raised from the trail goes back into the community to support their mission of inspiring people to grow and support locally grown food.

To see more photos of Rob and Pauline's garden, click through the gallery below. 

A taste of Samford

To celebrate the trail, the Samford Patisserie bakes several specialty cakes using locally sourced ingredients from the gardens.

Dan Newton from the Samford Patisserie (pictured below) is urging sweet tooths to drop in for a taste test.

“We generally make six or seven different cakes using fruits from the gardens of people who are involved with the trail,” Dan says.

“If you are looking to try something yummy, pop in and see us while you are in Samford.”

Event details

The Samford Edible Garden Trail will be held from May 18-19.

The gardens will be open between 9am-3pm.

For more information about the event, including tickets, like Samford Edible Garden Trail on Facebook.