Saturday 10 | Sunday 11 | Monday 12 November 2018
Once again there will be a fabulous program of speakers, nurseries, refreshments and surprises providing entertainment and inspiration for the thousands of visitors from across Australia who visit this dry lands garden.
Entry Fee: $10 & children under 18 free, stay in the garden as long as you like. Supporting the Rotary Club of Mt Barker and Operation Flinders. Gates open from 10am to 4.30pm daily.
Tickets: Purchase on the day at the gates. Correct money appreciated.
Hamlyn Cottage, 394 Springs Road, Mt Barker Springs
(Follow the signs from Mt Barker – no dogs allowed)
Program of talks
Nurseries
As always, local nurseries will be sharing their knowledge and selling plants. This year Diggers Nursery is joining us as well.
Supporting organisations
Organisations at the open garden may include:
For Kids
As always we will be offering free kids activities with Kate Hubmayer from Nature Crafts for Aussie Kids doing nature craft on the Saturday and Kristen Messenger from Bugs n Slugs doing bug education on Sunday. Bev Manthey will be doing basketry based activities on Monday and these activities will be fun for adults and kids alike.
Refreshments
There will be savoury refreshments available from the Mt Barker Waldorf School, coffee from Beans Talk coffee cart, a Hutt St initiative, and we will have our own delicious home baked cakes made from our own home grown produce.
No dogs…
Sherlock
Sherlock is our wonderful guard dog, flock protector, friend and family pet. He is a breed called a Mareema, bred to protect stock from predators and to be intensely loyal to, and protective of, his family.
Sherlock is true to his breeding and we ask that visitors do not bring other dogs to our property. Visiting dogs will unnecessarily cause Sherlock stress as he feels the need to protect his flock and family from them.
Your support is much appreciated.
How to get to Sophie’s Patch
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Partnering with local charities
Sophie partners with local community groups and charities to organise the parking. In the past few years, Local Rotary Clubs have managed visitor parking to raise money for their chosen charities including “Operation Flinders’.
What happened in previous open gardens?
Open gardens at Sophie’s Patch are more than just demonstrating sustainable gardening practices that I am always preaching, they are more like a fair or community event focused on community education. Every open garden is different at Sophie’s Patch as the garden grows, different speakers and groups join, amazing sculptures are built and the garden evolves.
