Organic John the Gardener

This is the blog spot for Organic John The Gardener.

I am based in the Blue Mountains, 75km west of Sydney, NSW, Australia

I am inspired by the notion of beautiful abundance. While I do manage traditional ornamental gardens, my passion is in creating self sustaining organic food gardens. Gardens that nourish the body with fresh and nutritious food, but also nourish the soul.

I belive that gardening is a natural form of creative expression and a tonic for everyone in the same way that we might use our voice, an instrument, a pen to write poetry or prose or our bodies in dance. It connects us with nature - where we have come from and where we are going. And in the process we get in touch with our cultural and culinary history, in the seeds that contain the generations of effort by our gardening and farming forebears from around the world, and in the plant lore and recipes that come with each harvest.

Sharing seeds and surplus with neighbours, while an enjoyable and enriching activity, is also a political act which puts us at the frontline of many contentious issues today. Health, education, international trade, consumerism, environmentalism. Just another good reason to get together as communities to help each other resist the grinding and dehumanising aspects of our global economy.

Most of the photos in this blog are from my own garden, but I start off with a couple from Gardens that have inspired me along the way. Villandry in France and Culross in Scotland. See a few more pictures of my work here

All photos and text are copyright John McNaull. Non-commercial use is permitted with acknowledgement. No commercial use without written approval