JULIA'S GARDEN

Julia's Garden is located in Nannup, "The Garden Village", 280 kms south of Perth, Western Australia.

Surrounded by jarrah forest, the property is home to the Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (SARI). (See 'Links').

Julia has designed the gardens using Permaculture principles to supply the household with an abundance of organic food all year round. Chooks provide eggs and meat as well as supplying the vegie gardens with their valuable manure. Rabbits are also a good source of meat and manure. Surplus fruit produced by the orchards, which cannot be eaten fresh, dried or bottled, is turned into home made wine.

In this tranquil setting, wildlife abounds, attracted by the abundance of food and habitat. Bird watching is a popular pastime from the verandah or kitchen window. Seven species of frogs live on the property, and lizards and geckos are equally at home both inside and outside the house.

The house is powered entirely from solar panels, with the power being stored in batteries. Hot water is generated by a solar hot water system, supplemented in winter by the wood heater.

The workshops balance theory with practical experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. There are many hands-on projects to join in, both here and in other Nannup gardens. Workshop participants who live in the area will have the opportunity to volunteer their garden for projects.