Garden Insights - Wendy and Trevor's Garden

Garden Insights + Share Table

Garden Insights: Wendy and Trevor Wieden's Garden

Sunday 6 October 2024

2.00 pm - 4.30 pm

33 Colemans Road, Goombungee, Q 4354

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 be welcomed by Wendy and Trevor Wieden at their 10-acre rural property at Goombungee.

What We'll See and Hear

• Goat Care - milking and bottle feeding a young kid
• Mandala Garden - with integrated veggies and a chicken dome
• The early stages of a Food Forest with berms for water catchment
• Newly established Mobile Sheep System with plans for rotational grazing, green manure crops, and regenerative agriculture principles
• Free range Chooks and Turkeys
• Abundant Birds - feeder and kookaburra nesting box
• Recycling and Repurposing
• The History of Goombungee and the property
• Results of Soil Testing that indicates the existing soil is quite depleted
• Doreen Jachmann, Nourished Landscapes, will present her recent Permaculture Design for the property.

The Story Behind the Garden

Wendy and Trevor moved to this property in October 2012. It was an old dairy and they've renovated the house with recycled materials and are slowly implementing permaculture principles.  Their approach is realistic and patient, using small and slow solutions. 

Motivated by the book "Building Your Permaculture Property" by Rob Avis, Takota Coen and Michelle Avis, they are inspired by the bigger picture, and also love the idea of making do and using recycled and second-hand items.

Wendy says this is not an orderly, pretty garden. They do what they can as time and resources allow, and it's sometimes a little ad hoc.  The garden has developed, and they now enjoy seeing their grandchildren eating fresh beans and tomatoes out of the garden.  There are milking goats for cheese, and chooks that work in the garden and provide lovely eggs.  

Here's Wendy's Vision Statement for their property:

About Wendy

Wendy loves the concept of producing food for her family and friends and has been on a learning curve about different eco systems as she has moved up and down the eastern seaboard.  Having been brought up on a cattle property in the South Burnett with a mother who loved gardening and a father who was intentional about being a good steward of his land, it was in her blood to value the natural world.

Wendy's always had a strong desire to grow good quality food, but time with family often takes priority over time in the garden. However, losing her job during COVID allowed time to develop the garden and get back into milking.

In focusing on her "Why", Wendy's values include people care and stewardship of the land. She has been passionate about the responsibility and influence of being a Mumma.  Wendy has home-birthed 3 of her 5 children and has home-schooled for about 18 years.  During the years of home-schooling, she would always start the school week with gardening and developing a permaculture style veggie garden with her children.

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

Please park against the road. Attendees with mobility issues can drive in and park close to the house.

Access

The garden is relatively flat and mostly suitable for wheelchairs, walking frames and strollers if needed.  

Please wear shoes as there is a lot of bindi and clover this year.

Children are always welcome with close adult supervision for their safety. Children  are welcome to play in the cubby house, trampoline and swing if parents take responsibility 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 - Free
• Non-Members - $10 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 $40 per person or $30 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  After 30 June, fees are 1/2 price for 1/2 year.

If you join now, membership is valid for until the end of 2024. 

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/