a day ago
Backyard garden in Cowaramup brings strangers together
It isn't unusual for Helen Earl to find strangers wandering through her backyard and admiring her garden that is so well-stocked people can't believe it isn't community-run.
Her little slice of heaven in WA's South West is bringing the community together and even attracting the occasional tourist who strays off the main street of Cowaramup.
It all began after Ms Earl planted the first seeds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I set it up four and a half years ago, when COVID first started, to grow our food because nobody knew what the times were going to be like," she said.
"Also our grandchildren were very little and it was a good way to show them where our food came from.
It was a time when many Australians started gardening and the sale of herbs and vegetables shot up around the country.
Several years on, Ms Earl's garden is in full-bloom.
She said it now contained everything from rhubarb to peanuts.
"I think the only thing that I haven't got is celeriac," she said.
"I have everything in there. I just like growing things."
Ms Earl's garden is so impressive, it often attracts the attention of passers-by including international tourists exploring WA's premier wine region.
She said sometimes she invited people in but other times strangers wandered through unaware they had stumbled onto private property.
"They pick and have a look and have their kids in there … it can be quite funny sometimes.
"When I'm not here and somebody is doing something in my garden they'll say, 'These people came through and these people came through'.
"I'll say, 'Oh well, I don't know who they are but as long as they enjoyed it.'
"I don't mind people having a look."
Trevor Paddenburg, who runs an Edible Garden festival in the region, said he had knocked on Ms Earl's door after noticing her "conspicuous" garden.
"It's like having a verge garden but on steroids because it is so open and Helen is so welcoming," he said.
After inviting the keen green thumb to showcase her garden in the festival, he said it was "a hit" with punters.
"It's an incredible thing that people can just see what she is up to and that she is so willing to share," Mr Paddenburg said.
"The more we can inspire people to grow things and be more sustainable, the better."
