Episode: #13 19/12/06
Presenter: Phil Dudman

There is no doubt, it has been tough times for gardeners in southeast Queensland, especially in the past 12 months but you would be amazed at what can be done.

Phil has discovered a kind of oasis in the desert and we hope to show you that with a little effort, anyone can turn a bare block into an absolute sanctuary.

This featured garden is Wintle Garden in the bay side suburb of Birkdale east of Brisbane a magical place that is overflowing with subtropical delight. It is hard to imagine it has gone from a virtual dust bowl with barely a weed to the colourful gingers, exotic heliconias, foliage, flowers and water features everywhere you turn. It is a highly productive garden too with a wonderful variety of fruit trees and vegetable that supplies the household year round.

The architects of this grand design are Ian and Judy Wintle.

About 8 years ago Ian and Judy started to get a passion for gardening but wanted a garden that was nothing fancy and a garden that they could do themselves. They have certainly achieved that!

With a passion for bromeliads, they are spreading through the garden like wildfire. Judy estimated that she has in excess of a 1000 bromeliads in her collection including some very rare pieces.

They started off wanting under planting for the fruit trees and then it became bigger and bigger so now it is a challenge to look for something different.

Over the years they have had to trailer in many metres of different mulch?s as well as stable manure and mushroom compost - everything that is able to be put through the Shredder, they even use the Lawn Clippings.

Harvesting water has been the other key to getting the garden through the dry, and they now have 4 rainwater tanks installed to guarantee all of the beautiful plants continue to flourish in their 1 acre slice of paradise.

About 50,000 litres in 4 tanks, with two feeding the bromeliad house and the bottom area of the garden.

You can come and enjoy Ian and Judy?s garden because it is open to the public on the 18^th and 19^th November under Australia?s Open Garden Scheme.

Ian & Judy Wintle

Wintle Garden
5 Carlton Crt
Birkdale Qld

Garden Open this weekend 18-19^th November 2006 as part of Australia?s Open Garden Scheme

Visit Ian and Judy?s Blog online: http://ianjudy.blogspot.com/