In less than five years this garden has gone from boring grass to beautiful abundance.
It’s a stunning example of what is possible for any average-sized Ipswich garden, using low-cost and free methods such as council’s Habitat Gardens program.
The garden will be part of the Sustainable Open Garden Trail on Saturday 4 October, a rare opportunity to gather inspiration from Ipswich gardeners as part of Sustainable Ipswich.
Owner Kelly describes herself as a ‘chaos’ gardener, letting her inspiration run wild – something she has truly relished given all her previous gardens were in rented properties.
Yet there is a fluid transition between the spaces as you walk around the property that shows care and consideration about the function and purpose of each space.
Before, the front yard had a Tuckeroo tree and nothing else. Now, it’s a meandering native garden full of wildlife habitat features and South-East Queensland plants, especially threatened or endangered species such as Swamp Tea-tree, Coleus habrophyllus and Ipswich’s floral emblem the Plunkett Mallee.
“It’s amazing the animals you see coming in, all the different insects and birds, when you’re growing a good variety of native species,” Kelly said.
The free Habitat Gardens program has been a source of inspiration for Kelly in more ways than one.
“The free plants (from council’s Nursery) are such a good variety and they grow really well in our climate and environment,” she said.
“Everything is available, from big trees to flowering ground covers.
“But it’s also the meet-ups and Instagram page – it’s a community too, not just a program.
“We’re like-minded people incorporating native plants into our garden and wanting to do more for nature.”
The garden transitions into a rainforest area along the shady side, with a stony creek that captures tank water overflow and allows the water to seep into the soil.
Then entering the backyard, Kelly’s ‘food forest’ is a feast for the senses, overflowing with edible plants and permaculture practices.
It’s no wonder Kelly’s garden is featured in the current Spring edition of Good Organic Gardening magazine.
Sandstone rocks, timber and plants have been used to swale the sloping block and capture as much rainwater as possible.
Only a quarter of the Hills Hoist is needed for washing, so the rest is used as a trellis for climbing plants such as beans and tomatoes.
Plants are allowed to go to flower and seed, attracting beneficial insects. Salvaged and second hand materials were used to build a lot of the garden including the chicken coop and shade house.
For Kelly, her garden is her “escape space”.
“It’s my everything. Something as simple as weeding – walking around and just filling a bucket – is therapeutic. We have chickens, so they’ll eat those weeds, break it down and return it to the soil as compost,” she said.
“Being out in the sunshine and nature is really good for mental health and the soul. Even if you’ve had a bad day, walking around in your garden gives you a lift.”
The Sustainable Open Garden Trail is on Saturday 4 October. To register for this free event go to Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability
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