Garden for Life: The Documentary

Helen Dew has grown most of her own fruit and vegetables for over 60 years. Last year she left her quarter acre slice of paradise for a tiny 400 square metre town section and established an equally productive garden.

Landscaping and planting began in April. By August she was supplying greens to the Carterton Farmers’ market and on 1 September she hosted an official opening. During the Pūkaha Garden tour in November she welcomed almost 700 visitors.

Film-maker Jane Fletcher recorded the development process: clearing the site, building raised beds, installing the tunnel house, building the potting shed, planting the fruit trees. Name tags record the names of many friends, family, and local organisations involved in the plantings.

Helen says ‘the move close to the centre of Carterton has opened new doors for me. I really love encouraging others to grow food, and my workshops on easy-care edible gardening, compost making, and seed-saving are nearly always fully subscribed.’

Now’s your chance to see the documentary about Helen’s garden. We’ll also show three further short clips about growing food in urban spaces. Afterwards, Helen will be happy to answer your questions over a cup of tea about her garden and its development.

Come and join us at the Carterton Courthouse, 7.30pm, 30 August 2019. Koha to help pay for the venue hire.

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