Garden Insights - Sarah Smith's Garden

Garden Insights + Share Table

Garden Insights - Sarah Smith's Garden

Sunday 6 September 2026

2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

5 Settlers Drive, Gowrie Junction, Q 4352

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Bookings are essential so that we have contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

We’ll start at 2.00 pm with a welcome and introduction. We like to visit a range of different gardens, each as unique as the gardeners who live there. It's wonderful to see the diverse garden styles, approaches, and plants that can be grown in our bioregion.

This month we'll visit Sarah Smith's productive 1-acre garden at Gowrie Junction.

What We'll See

• Design of Zones 1-4

• IBC Wicking beds

• Espalier Apple Trees

• Food Forest / Fruit Orchard on contour

• Kitchen Garden

• Animal Management (using chook tractors & geese)

• Hot Composting

• Native Wildlife Corridor

The Story Behind the Garden

From Sarah:

This 1 acre block was pretty much a blank canvas when we arrived from Sydney in 2021 with my husband and 5 children. It has felt like slow progress trying to create new microclimates. Drought, heavy clay & strong winds are the big factors we contend with. I added an extra 100,000L rain storage, amended the soil with lots of composted organic matter and mulch. I have planted 100’s of native tubestock to create a wildlife corridor & windbreak and I love seeing the increase of small birds, insects and lizards. We also have 40kW solar battery system which keeps us mostly independent of the grid.

Afternoon Tea (provided)

A light afternoon tea will be provided (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

What to Bring

• KeepCup or similar for your drink at afternoon tea (we're trying to minimise waste)

• Chair

• Water Bottle

• Sun protection

• Clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor weather conditions

• Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Parking

Parking is available along Settlers Drive.

Access

This garden has access for wheel chairs, walking frames and strollers if needed.

Children are always welcome with very close adult supervision for their safety.

We hope we see you there!

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free

• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person

• Non-Members - $20 per person

• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.

If you join now, membership only $30 for a part year ($25 for second adult) and is valid until the end of 2026. 

Members can attend all events and workshops during the year at no cost. You can pay your membership at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Please complete a Membership form which will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/