An idea following the 2019 Douglas Shire garden awards Let It Grow presentation night with Costa Georgiadis, has resulted in Open Gardens Douglas Shire, which takes place on October 3-5.

It is a collaborative project between the community, Biodynamics FNQ Inc., Douglas Shire Council and Mossman Botanic Gardens.

“The overarching theme of Open Gardens Douglas Shire is to encourage even more people to find pleasure in gardening, no matter how big or small their space is.

“Obviously gardening is an outdoor activity which is good for body, mind and spirit. A bonus is that it provides pleasure for eye and stomach and it is actually a lot of fun.

“I would like to build a network of gardeners who support each other through working, learning and enjoying together what nature has to offer in an ecologically sensible and sustainable way. Along these lines I would like to promote regenerative practices/principals to a larger audience. I am delighted if one or the other member of the community starts a small veggie patch or uses a traditionally ornamental garden space to grow some food,” said keen gardener and organiser of Open Gardens, Monika Prins, who is also secretary of Biodynamics FNQ Inc.

There are 12 Open Gardens Douglas Shire and by visiting the website you will find out when to be where.

The cost to enter each garden is a gold coin donation which will go to fund a future similar event.

The Open Gardens idea went into a hiatus for a while. During the current pandemic Douglas Shire council was unable to organise an Open Garden event, however, local community member and passionate food grower and gardener Monika Prins noticed that lots of community members had time on their hands and were getting their hands dirty. She decided the time was ripe to work towards holding an Open Garden event.

Prins is encouraging those with gardens over the Queen's Birthday long weekend with an eagerness to share and learn any gardening tips and tricks while venturing through several gardens full of new ideas.

“Whether you are a beginner or an expert, be part of likeminded individuals that share a passion for gardening in an ecologically sensible and sustainable way,” she said.  

“The aim of the Open Garden event is for community members to visit every day gardens, that include vegetable patches, small gardens in the aged housing cluster, community gardens, chickens, container planting, bee keeping, beach side gardens, organic biodynamic gardens and bush gardens etc.

“The common thread is that all the gardeners love and are proud of their gardens and want to demonstrate to others the beauty and interest of their everyday gardens. This event is not about horticultural expertise but about sharing ideas and community. Some gardeners will offer a short guided tour while others let you have a stroll through some area of their paradise (on a marked path). For sure, they are keen to answer your questions.”