Anywhere else, they might be an unusual couple. Adam Willson is an agronomist and horticulturalist with a passion for Parisian vegetable gardens as they were in the 1890’s. Adam's partner is Mayjune Willson, a documentary film maker and artist.
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| Organic farmer, Adam Willson |
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They came to Tamborine Mountain to replenish their health and to find a way to add vibrancy and goodness to a community.
And to build their own house. And create a local business.
So far, that’s a pretty normal profile for people who love the special-ness of Tamborine Mountain enough to up their roots and move here.
And speaking of roots, if you have driven past the St Bernard's Primary school in the past two years you probably have seen their three-acre vegetable plot on the other side of the road.
It's looking highly productive now that the weeds have been tamed. Long, tight, straight rows of healthy looking vegetables now march along the red slopes of the block.
“We want to make this a fully organic and certified vegetable garden,” said Adam. “That's a formal process that takes three years”.
After certification, Adam's vegetables can be exported as totally organically grown, changing the economics of the vegetable patch.
Adam Willson confesses that he is passionate about soil. While the rich red soil that makes Tamborine Mountain so famous is a great starting point, Adam is intent on improving it with organic matter and trace minerals so it will become the fertile black soil that grows the healthiest fruit and vegetables.
It's ultimately the soil that endows fruit and vegetables with vitamins, minerals and sustenance.
Adam believes in a kind of intensive organic gardening that has its roots in the French market gardens of the 19th century.
In the late nineteenth century, Parisian gardeners were able to grow over 100 pounds of produce annually for every person in the city.
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Organic farmer, Adam Willson in his market garden on School Road Mt Tamborine. |
Adam says, "I love Parisian food culture where you can bring fresh fruit and veggies to the table every day."
The Parisian farmers achieved their remarkable productivity through a series of common sense innovations.
First is the use of raised beds (up to 18 inches in height) built with horse manure, which was abundant at the time.
Second, the beds should be narrow enough so that a person standing on the path can reach comfortably to the middle of the bed.
Third, is a close planting pattern. Close planting shades the soil, keeping it cooler and moister for good root growth, and discourages the growth of weeds. Instead of planting in rows, they used triangular or hexagonal spacing to maximize the number of plants that can be fit into the bed.
And finally, the French farmers used glass covers over the rows to allow for growth even in the winter.
"Currently we have 31 vegetables and flowers in the garden. We grow in small lots with highly diversified vegetables, fruits and flowers and these add much need vibrancy to a community," said Adam
"Our seed is sourced primarily from Europe to ensure high germination rates, purity and GMO free status," said Adam Willson. "Our soils are responding to the organic farming practices, prescription compost and over 20 essential mineral nutrients, over time they will get darker leading to increases in vitamin B, C, Amino acids and essential organic compounds."
"Mayjune is getting over her second bout of breast cancer so it is essential we rebuild her immune system. Providing quality seasonal vegetables is an essential building block to overcoming immune diseases like cancer."
"Like all degenerative diseases, many can be linked to poor nutrition, and these can be linked back to what is missing in soil.'
Adam is a wealth of knowledge on all things soil. So do drop in and visit the Willsons and immerse yourself in this beautiful green garden. The visit alone will be good for your health and their high quality seasonal vegetables are ready to go for salad and stir fry mixes.
The organic garden is at 2 School Road, Mt Tamborine. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - 7:30 - 9:30am.
Email Mayjune and Adam for the harvest list - organicgarden@bigpond.com