Earlier this year on a drizzly and rather misty Saturday morning in February, I drove down to the very beautiful Glenbernie Orchard in Darkes Forest, in the Northern Illawarra of New South Wales. I had signed up to talented baker Tara Mills of Mill Lane’s workshop on “how to create your own edible garden”, encouraged by my dear friend Jenni who was also attending and lives in the area (I’ll be showcasing Jenni’s gorgeous home here in the (blog)house very soon, in the meantime you can have a little sneak peek here).
I love turning off the highway upon entering the Royal National Park, like other times I’ve traveled in that direction, I wind down all the windows in the car and take deep belly breaths to absorb the gorgeous air. On this occassion, I was playing the latest album of Tenzin Cheogyal called Heart Strings, and so by the time I arrived at Glenbernie, I was well and truly at ease and ready to enjoy the full day workshop ahead. It’s an incredibly rare treat to have an entire Saturday to myself, and to spend it with like-minded people learning all about permaculture and enjoying a glorious home made lunch by Tara made it very special…
These seasonal workshops, hosted by Tara, take place in a large shed on the Glenbernie Orchard property, looking out over the apple orchard. It is taught by Narelle Happ, horticulturalist and garden designer, who has over ten years experience in permaculture, and is filled with knowledge which she passionately shares throughout the day. She’s a great teacher, very patient and willing to share everything she knows about creating beautiful edible gardens.
Throughout the day Tara served a delicious array of dishes for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. At lunchtime we sampled the orchards own apple cider, as well as indulged in a glass of sparkling wine, which relaxed us into the afternoon. In the morning we talked about the principles and ethics of permaculture, designing our individual gardens, and creating health soil, while in the afternoon we learnt about specific seasonal and perennial plants, propogation, and seed saving and raising. Narelle incorporated a lot of hands on activity, so we were able to learn through experience which I have always found the best way to soak in information, especially for those of us who are visual learners.
At the end of the day we each came home with an armful of gardening goodies including our propogated plants, seeds, companion guides, notes, a wooden handled trowel, and some of Tara’s delicious recipes.
It was a wonderful experience, and to be able to come home to my own garden and see it afresh, implementing Narelle’s advice and teachings over time spent in my own little borrowed patch of earth. I have more confidence now with things I wasn’t sure about like my compost system and soil, as well as the needs of certain vegetables. And I’m inspired to keep trying, keep planting and experimenting, and then to cook as Tara does, with pickings straight from the garden.
Thank you everyone who attended that day for the wonderful conversations and a big thank you to Tara, Narelle and Jo who owns the farm, for having me along. I am keen to get back down there for Tara’s baking workshop now, called “the art of making French breads” ah oui!
xx
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all photographs by Pia Jane Bijkerk
It was a great day wasn’t it Pia, thanks for sharing your story. I highly recommend Tara & Narelle’s workshops they are great value for the amount of Knowledge and inspiration you come away with. Next one Pia, you & me learn French Bread Baking, Interested??? xx Jen
June 24th, 2015 | #
What a wonderful read. It’s so lovely to hear the perspective from one of our lovely attendees. Thank you Pia. Hopefully we’ll see you again soon xxxx
June 24th, 2015 | #
What a gorgeous way to spend a day. It looks beautiful and just the kind of soul-enriching workshop I love.
June 24th, 2015 | #
photos are so so beautiful … did you take them? x suz.
June 24th, 2015 | #
Hi Suzette, yes I did, thank you
June 25th, 2015 | #
It was wonderful K, highly recommended xx
June 25th, 2015 | #
Would love to Tara! X
June 25th, 2015 | #
Jenni: Yes yes and yes! XX
June 25th, 2015 | #
Gorgeous photos, Pia. And what a generous and beautiful little ‘gardening goodies’ pack you scored. Narelle Happ is a friend of the magazine.
June 27th, 2015 | #