Joes Connected Garden Open Garden

This is our 13th consecutive Open Garden since 2013 and again we offer you the chance to view our five adjoining productive gardens growing hundreds of different fruits and vegetables from all over the world. Our gardens are run using organic and permaculture principles and set out to be an inspiration for you to go home and try the same thing, on whatever scale your circumstances allow. What sets our Opens apart from others on the OGSA program is that we have two full days of lectures, demonstrations, tours and activities which are all included in the price. There are numerous experts from the Rare Fruit Society who are available to answer your questions and there is a one hour Q&A panel each afternoon. We are delighted to announce that everyone’s favourite gardener, Sophie Thomson, is back this year talking about how gardens connect us. The program is not yet finalised but we also hope to have permaculture royalty, Annemarie Brookman and Peter Heidenreich from Garden Goodness. A brilliant new speaker for us will be Koren Helbig who will discuss how those on smaller properties don’t need to miss out. Ann will fascinate you with her story of building a mud brick house and going off grid out in the country. And, of course, no doubt you will find Joe, Andrew and Rosanne popping their heads up from time to time. We made the decision to adopt a theme this year: “Permaculture is for Everyone”. This isn’t in any way a radical departure from our usual direction; we just wanted to articulate it more clearly and try to clear up any misconceptions about permaculture. The reality is that these six words – EARTH CARE, PEOPLE CARE, FAIR SHARE – cover all aspects of life, particularly People Care if you take that seriously. Permaculture is not just organic gardening, although that can be a big part of it, but an attitude towards life and creation that offers the chance for everyone to be the best person they can and live in harmony with the billions of others who share this increasingly fragile blue dot in space called Earth. There are many things one can do in daily life that cost nothing and if they became common place, a huge difference would be noticed in the state of the earth. Everyone and everything counts. When we started it was mainly about growing food but our focus has become more educational in recent years as we reach out to anyone who will listen and watch just how your life can be enhanced and enriched. Come along to the weekend and find out more! The event is open both days from 10am to 4.30pm.