Gardens
Grocott Community Garden
This organic garden is located at the Railway Precinct. It has multiple purposes one of which is to demonstrate how to produce food by organic methods. Participants learn such things as making compost, liquid plant food and mulching to preserve moisture and restrict weed growth. The produce is distributed locally with any excess donated to food banks.
The project is the brainchild of Patricia Bosshard-Browne, who called on the heft and ingenuity of community members. The project was also generously supported by businesses here and in Dunedin.
Practically, seventeen ton of soil from Cottesbrook Station as well as manure was used to fill the raised beds.
Using heavy mulching discourages weeds and reduces the amount of water required. .
We meet at the garden between 10 am to12 pm on Wednesdays. Lean over the fence and have a chat, or come inside and do some leisurely gardening.
We do not start seriously planting until the beginning of Oct, even then it can be too early as we sometimes can find ourselves covered in snow or with minus 6 deg frosts.
The garden proudly houses a great "Little Red Tool Shed" made and donated by the Blokes Shed of Mosgiel.
The garden is fittingly named after Mr Grocott, who was the first stationmaster in Middlemarch in the 1890's. The old station master’s house is next door.
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Lochiel
Frances Howell, Highway 87, RD 2, Middlemarch, phone 03 464 3874.
A large country garden featuring flowering cherries, roses, peonies, bulbs and perennials. Extreme growing conditions in a dry and stony gardening environment. The garden has grown from bare paddocks in 1985 to what it is today. Open: October–March. Please phone first. A donation is appreciated.. Coach tours accepted, picnicking possible.
