Garden Lovers Set To Dig In For a Blooming Good Day At Clare Showgrounds
Dig out your gumboots and dust off the garden trolley – the SA Autumn Garden Festival is back in Clare this April and it’s ready to sprout into another cracking day out.
Celebrating its 15th year, the much-loved festival returns to the Clare Showgrounds on Sunday, April 19, bringing together green thumbs, plant lovers and anyone keen for a day out in the beautiful Clare Valley.
Costa and Sophie Dish The Dirt
Two familiar faces from ABC’s Gardening Australia will headline the day, with Costa Georgiadis and Sophie Thomson both joining the festival line-up.
Costa will share his trademark passion for soil, sustainability and growing food at home, while Sophie dives into rewilding and bringing tired landscapes back to life.
They’ll also join soil scientist and regenerative farmer Adam Burford for a panel discussion where visitors can throw their burning gardening questions into the mix.
And if you’ve ever wanted to ask Costa why your tomatoes hate you, this might be the day.
Growing Smarter in SA
The speaker program will hone in on practical ideas for gardening in South Australia’s climate.
Clare’s local gardening legend Paulie Calaby will kick things off with simple ways to grow food that nourishes body, mind and soul, while Mark Smith from Adelaide Hills Vegie Gardens shares clever ideas for building water-saving wicking beds.
Brenton Whellum from Nuthin But Natives will also dive into water-wise gardening using Australian plants.
Shop ‘Til You Drop At The Garden Stalls
Beyond the talks, the Clare Showgrounds will be packed with more than 60 stalls selling plants, bulbs, sculptures and all sorts of garden goodies.
And if your arms start filling up with plants, the popular “Shop and Drop” area will look after your purchases while you keep wandering, with buggies available to help get your leafy haul back to the car.
A Garden Party Under The Gums
Live music and entertainment will create a relaxed outdoor vibe under the big gums at the showgrounds.
Junior green thumbs will be kept busy with a Gardening Australia outdoor cinema and hands-on activities where kids can make magic pots or milk bottle planters.
Food stalls, coffee and Clare Valley wines will keep everyone well fed, while the popular raffle returns with more than $2,000 in prizes up for grabs.
So whether you’re chasing a few new plants, picking up tips from the pros or simply keen for a wander through the stalls, it’s shaping up to be a blooming good day out in Clare.
SA AUTUMN GARDEN FESTIVAL
WHEN: Sunday April 19, 10am-3pm
WHERE: Clare Showgrounds
ENTRY: $15 for adults, with kids under 18 free.
MORE INFO: saautumngardenfestival.com.au
