Eco House and Food Garden
The Eco House and Food Garden are located at the Geranium St entrance opposite Holtze House. The house and surrounding area is being developed to demonstrate sustainable and energy efficient living and gardening practices. The elevated house represents a style of architecture which was common in Darwin prior to Cyclone Tracy when homes were designed with louvered windows and ceiling fans to utilise natural ventilation. The recent installation of ‘whirlybird’ roof vents and an exterior roof coating which reflects the sun’s rays will insulate the house and further enhance natural airflow.
The house also features a rainwater tank and grey water recycling system donated by Bunnings Warehouses.
The garden is designed to be both ornamental and practical - every plant is edible or useful. Here you will find a large variety of tropical fruit, herbs, and spices including Sugar Cane, Coffee, Cardamom, Ginger, Aloe Vera and Lemon Grass as well as four different types of Chillies.
Also incorporated into the garden are ten Community Food Garden plots which are available to community groups and members of the public who wish to grow their own organic food, but for various reasons, wouldn’t otherwise have access to garden space.
The Community Food Garden have no current available plots but if you are interested please contact the Visitor Services Officer to add your name to the wating list.
Bunnings Warehouses have donated tools, equipment and irrigation supplies to help establish and maintain the Food Garden and Community Plots.
The philosophy of the Eco House and Food Garden is one of organic and sustainable living and gardening; hence, no chemical sprays or poisons whatsoever are used, all green waste is composted and recycled back into the garden, and an automatic irrigation system is installed featuring water efficient, low volume drip line below the mulch which reduces evaporation and delivers water directly to the plants’ root zone.
Once completed, the Eco House will be open to the public periodically through regular open days conducted throughout the year- keep an eye on the Gardens Gossip/ Diary of events page.