A Daisy Hill retiree has turned an unused garden space into a thriving fruit and vegetable patch that is feeding more than appetites.
Since moving into Yurana Retirement Village last year, Roger Armstrong has transformed the space into a productive garden of seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruit, with much of the harvest shared among fellow residents.
Mr Armstrong, who has a background in farming, said the garden took time and effort to bring back to life.
“I couldn’t plant a thing when I arrived,” he said.
“By October, I’d cleared out what shouldn’t have been there, and then through October and November I got stuck in and built it all up.”
The patch now produces fresh herbs, leafy greens, citrus and passionfruit, with residents often eager to secure a share of each harvest.
Mr Armstrong said sharing the produce had become one of the most rewarding parts of village life.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said.
“But I’m having fun doing it, it’s a hobby.”
The garden has become a small social hub, giving residents a reason to stop, talk and connect over what is growing.
For Mr Armstrong and his wife, the appeal of Yurana has also come from its natural surrounds.
“My wife and I love it here, the animals and the birds and the bush, it’s beautiful,” he said.
“The kookaburras sit on the roof and the wallabies come out in the afternoon and just lie around, it’s great.”
Not every visitor is equally welcome.
“The bush turkeys are definitely not our favourite,” Mr Armstrong said.
The garden has helped residents connect, stay active and share in the rewards of Mr Armstrong’s work, turning a simple patch of soil into a source of produce, connection and community.
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