Past Gardens
Rural garden with a focus on edible plants and herbs and bromeliads, complete with a waterlily filled dam. The owners also grow scented tuberose flowers for local markets and will prepare some special drinks and traditional Asian food from their produce.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
From a shaded rainforest retreat, this garden has undergone a transformation into a more light-filled space after Cyclone Marcus in March 2018 saw the demise of several large trees. Gingers are powering ahead, self-sown plants are thriving and the owners are loving their new-look garden!
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Secluded rural block featuring native and exotic plantings. Birdlife and other rural critters abound. There will be guided tours of the block, and information and talks on native plant propagation from Top End Native Plants Society members, along with sales of local plants supplied by TENPS and Territory Native Plants nursery.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
NOTE: Opening times are different for this Open Garden and will only be open on the Saturday, click find out more for times and program. Visit three community gardens in one day and see how these gardens grow food and community, each a little differently. Thanks to City of Darwin for supporting this event with a Community Grant and Tall Tale Audio for the technical production.
Ed’s Dried Fruit stall was a fixture at the Nightcliff Markets for nearly 20 years and now Ed is opening his garden to visitors. You’ll find bananas, paw paws, pineapples and jakfruit growing. Desert roses, begonias and bromeliads also feature along with chooks, fish ponds, vegetables and herbs. Birds, lizards, goannas and tree frogs abound.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
A very special and private garden, full of interesting plants and unusual decorative items. Paved paths wind past fascinating corners and plant groupings. Look up, look down – there’s lots to see in this delightful space and always new sights to be found. Welcom-ing patios and decks on both sides of the house provide great garden viewpoints. Brilliant mosaics and decorative items are a feature in this perenially-popular garden.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
A large 5 acre garden on Darwin’s northern urban outskirts. The current owners have cleared over 3 acres of coffee bush and replanted with natives, creating a low maintenance and waterwise garden. The top 2 acres of the block are planted with tropical plants. The block was used by the military in WW2 and paths, ponds and many features of interest abound. Friendly chickens and a peahen roam the 5 acres.
Mother's Day weekend - bring mum along to this one. Super stylish suburban garden expertly crafted on permaculture principles. This garden caters to all taste, from composting and worm farming to ornamental plants to the native garden and stingless bees. The owners can provide a wealth of personal knowledge on ways to get the most from your garden. Grab yourself a ticket in the raffle with $1200 worth of prizes up for grabs. The first prize is a day fishing charter for two worth. Gate takings will raise funds for Harvest Corner Community Garden and the food and refreshments are being run by Palmerston Good Shephard Lutheran School. Plants will be for sale from one of our previous Open Garden Host Ester. So grab a lovely bromeliad plant for mum too.
After this garden suffered considerable damage from Cyclone Marcus in 2018 the owners created a fresh tropical outdoor space in just two years. Lots of hard work, new garden beds, fertiliser, hand watering and a wonderful array of plants from local sellers and friends ensured their success, combined with local gardening knowledge.
Themed garden beds which include bromeliads and cycads now fill in areas where white ant infested trees were removed, with bird and wildlife attracting natives planted throughout. Honeyeaters, a solo rainbow pita and a family of blue winged kookaburras are regular visitors. The rear section of the block backs on to Wells Creek and garden art and numerous outdoor sitting spaces contribute to this garden's informal rural charm. Fundraising for Autism NT. Territory Natives and Top End Native Plant Society will be selling native plants on the weekend.