Joe's Connected Garden

We are permaculture gardens of neighbours connected by gates . There are around 20 gardens connected, in three locations, growing well over a thousand varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. We experiment with adapting plants to our changing climate and are engaged in educating people in growing food and sustainable living. School children and volunteers come regularly during the week and we hold frequent courses and workshops for the public, which our international visitors can also attend. While the Gardens are available to be viewed as a private tour by arrangement, we host a big open garden event in February which attracts up to a thousand visitors on the weekend. Travellers can expect to be involved in all aspects of urban farming, including propagating, pruning, preserving, weeding, grafting etc depending on the season. They can also expect to be involved in a wide range of construction and repair tasks, and if they come from November onwards, they will assist in preparation for the open garden. We are a socially engaged community, so visitors will also get to meet our network and participate in activities such as harvesting and distributing surplus produce to food charities when in season. If visitors stay for more than 3 weeks, they will have an opportunity to spend a few days on an off-grid semi-desert property and even learn earth bag construction. Joe, Rosanne and Andrew and the other garden owners welcome visitors to join them on their sustainable living adventure.
Note that the gardens are in the outer suburbs of Adelaide, within easy reach of public transport and that Adelaide is known for its many festivals throughout the year. It is in the top 10 most livable cities in the world and its botanic gardens are in the top 20.

We have accommodated over 40 international volunteer visitors over the past 18 months and have loved the experience. Generally volunteers will cook their own food which we provide. We have many projects in progress and travellers may be able to assist us during the week according to their skills and our needs. We currently have friends of the gardens who assist us during the week, but the garden owners feel that we also have much to offer to people who come from different cultures, climates and soil types and that we can learn much from them as well, especially in adapting to our changing climate.


Reviews

4.5
(5 reviews)5

Staff & Host

5.0

Hours & Tasks

4.5

Hostel

4.5

Learning & Fun

5.0

Sweden

5

I gained insights into the world of fruits /vegetables cultivation @JCG's. Bravo Andrew for the equipment @ Rosanne's -Solar panels & grey water recycling systems ensuring plants get scheduled watering. Joe showed us the activities for maintaining 4+1 sites & 🙏generous foodstuff. Warm regards to John for sharing sizzling beefsteak technique & 🍗cacciatore! The day trip to D'Annies Arid Rural Farm was definitely my Big learning highlight. My gratitude to join hands with the many community volunteers for the practical collaboration gearing up to JCG's Open Garden on Feb 15 and 16. 2025.

5 months ago

United States

5

I enjoyed my time here enough to extend my stay by a month. It is a unique sort of garden, and a great group of people involved therein.

6 months ago

Sweden

4

The hosts are kind and welcoming. You will learn a lot about gardening and plants and how to sustainably grow them. Also how to grow them in different climates. If you're eager to learn more about gardening and sustainability, this is a place for you. You will also meet many locals and get an idea of how things work in the community.

7 months ago


Joe replied

Thank you Ebba,
It was our pleasure to host you and your sister. You are always welcome back here :)

Sweden

4

I've had a really nice experience at Joe's connected gardens. You do a good days work and get to see a lot besides working, and public transport to the city is easy. I found it very interesting with everything from learning how the community works and helps people, to how we can be self sufficient and handle living with the more and more extreme changes in the climate. Everyone you meet are really nice people and have interesting knowledge in different useful topics. I have learnt a lot of useful things to apply to my future garden!

8 months ago


Joe replied

Thank you Alma,
Your feedback is greatly appreciated and has been taken on board. 😊👍
It was our pleasure to host you and your sister. You are always welcome back here :)

United Kingdom

5

I really enjoyed my time at Joe’s garden. Joe, Rosanne, Andrew and John were really interesting and very knowledgeable. The conversations I had with them were very valuable. I learnt a lot of new skills and information about plants and animals. Joe is a great host that immerses you in the local community that he is clearly a valuable member of. The housing was good, getting your own room and the food provided is really nice too, either cooked by Joe or food provided to cook for yourself. The surrounding area is pretty and peaceful for walks.

8 months ago


Perfect for you if you're looking for

Contact with nature

Rural

Contact with animals

City & Town