Graham Ross lends a green thumb to residents

The residents of Stockland’s Cardinal Freeman Retirement Village were joined by celebrity gardener, Graham Ross from Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens this week to help them pot, plant and prune their way to a thriving community garden.

Graham’s village visit saw him lend a green thumb or two to plant a range of seasonal veggies for the residents to soon enjoy including beetroot, spinach and cauliflower. He also shared his expert gardening knowledge on compost and gardening as a form of exercise.

Graham Ross said, “I love to see people get passionate about gardening. Gardening is a fantastic form of exercise for you as you age for complete wellbeing. At the end of the day we want the residents of Cardinal Freeman to be happy, healthy and engaged with nature and this new community garden will provide that.”

Sandra Kerr, Cardinal Freeman Resident, said: “Having a community garden expands upon the ability to not only have flowers and natives around me but now I can come up here and have vegetables to get produce and eat natural”

The new community garden forms part of the new village green created as part of the $180 million redevelopment of Cardinal Freeman.

The redevelopment is on schedule with the first two buildings from stage 1 sold out and over 100 new residents moved into their new apartments. Stockland has already delivered a 100 seat indoor and outdoor café and restoration of the historic chapel and will soon officially open the new state-of-the-art Clubhouse featuring a bar lounge, billiards room, health club and indoor pool.

Upon completion the village will include seven boutique buildings featuring 240 new one, two and three bedroom apartments, each with their own secure underground car parking space and storage.

Mark Maybury, Cardinal Freeman Village Manager, said: “We have received fantastic feedback on the development so far and seen strong demand from Sydney retirees who are keen to acquire a new, low-maintenance, high-lifestyle home within a welcoming community.

“Cardinal Freeman is a warm and welcoming community with everything you need close by. Its location has been a major selling point for buyers only 10 kilometres from the Sydney CBD, and on the doorstep of vibrant Summer Hill, near transport, shops and restaurants.”

1. Start with something simple such as tomatoes.

2. If the plant doesn’t grow, don’t give up; try something else.

3. Use seaweed solution rather than fertiliser.

4. If you buy seedlings, make sure you plant them quickly. If it flops over and is left for more than 30 minutes, it will not succeed.