Visit Hillwood Charles and Irene 2024

On what could only be described as a glorious warm spring day, a short drive to the north of Launceston found us in the large 4 acre garden overlooking the Tamar River. Beyond the extensive ornamental beds we discovered the large area of productive food garden. Fruit trees aplenty (many of them espaliered), grape vines and berries along fences and supports, quaint garden structures and flowers galore waiting to be explored.

Irene giving us a guided tour around the garden

We discovered that Charles is a very handy person, constructing the cold frame, potting shed and glass house using reclaimed materials.

The cold frame and potting shed

Inside the glass house

Irene explained that they moved in 6 years ago to a garden that had some established fruit trees and a very barren and weedy vegetable patch.  The soil is clay based and the owners had sprayed heavily.  Irene reported that it required truckloads (literally!) of manures, bio char, spent mushroom compost and coir mulch to get the under nourished soil healthy again. The abundance of healthy plants is evidence of their success in nurturing the soil back to health.

Berries growing along a fence bordering the vegetable patch

The vegetable garden was mesmerizing and picturesque. While many gardeners may see typical weeds as a bother and something that needs to be removed, Irene is quick to defend these plants as valuable and nourishing.  With Irene's knowledge these "weeds" are turned into salves and soaps, foraged for salad or turned into fodder for a variety of animals including the hens that have free reign in the extensive fruit and nut tree orchard.

The colourful vegetable patch

Irene's passion for ensuring there is food for everyone including our priceless pollinators, was evident in the vegetable patch.  Winter brassicas, borage, calendulas and rocket were in abundance and in flower, being greedily savoured by native and introduced pollinators alike.  Self sown vegetables were happily nestled amongst the weeds and flowering vegetable plants.  Irene explained that she sows vegetables in blocks rather than rows.  The result is a highly productive patch teeming with insect life, lots of colour and food.

The bees were loving the borage, while calendulas were favoured by our native pollinators.

The large vegetable garden is complimented by any extensive orchard of fruit trees, including peaches, quince and grape vines.  A large number of trees are enclosed in a fenced yard where the chooks roam.  Numerous berries are grown on fences and supports all around the garden.

The extensive orchard that includes the hen house

The much loved mulberry tree has been lopped to reduce the overall height to ensure that Irene does not have to share the prized fruits with the ever present possums.  When asked about how the mulberry fares in shade, Irene explained that when the summer solstice arrives, the tree is in full sun offering welcomed shade while indulging in its fruitful bounty.

Closer to the house Irene and Charles have espaliered a variety of old heritage pears and apples to form a sun-drenched courtyard.

Irene's beautiful handmade soaps were offered for sale on the day

Thank you Irene and Charles, for the opportunity to visit your garden.  The garden proves that you don't need a highly structured or perfect layout for a productive and attractive food garden. Many of us will look at "weeds" in a much more positive manner from now on and embrace the beauty that can be achieved with a more casual and relaxed approach.

Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to making this a very enjoyable morning.