Elizabeth’s Garden of Eden

For the unassuming passer-by, Argent Street appears no more than a garden-variety street, lined with familiar 1960s cream brick houses and manicured front yards.

It’s not until you pass through the side gate of number six, that you’ll notice this street has grown into something special.

Visitors are quickly entangled in a permaculturalist’s Garden of Eden, where every inch of the 700 square metre backyard has been transformed into a blossoming food forest.

Winding down a narrow path, guests are greeted by a softly spoken older man, sporting a well-worn bucket hat and generously sharing his extensive knowledge of all things green.

That man is Joe Kielnerowski, the namesake of Joe’s Connected Garden – a community garden where five adjoining properties, linked by gates, grow nearly 500 varieties of fruit with a small nursery of low-cost plant sales.

It’s been 13 years since Joe and his neighbour Rosanne Parker, removed a panel in their shared corrugated fence and started moving freely between their two backyards and sharing their love of gardening.

Little did they know, their sapling of an idea, would eventually grow into neighbouring properties joining their movement too – not only grow food and share principles of organic gardening, but to create a community that fosters respect for the earth – and one another.

A fortuitous encounter with Open Gardens

Australia would see the houses of Argent Street open their gates to the public (the first time in 2013), where the community shares talks, workshops and exhibitions about organic gardening and permaculture.

“Permaculture ethics are care of the earth, care of people, and a fair share,” said Joe. “Those ideals have drawn in people from all walks of life and have created a community that can connect with one another through a shared love of gardening.”

“People want to learn. They don’t just come to look, they ask a lot of good questions,” he said.

Joe prides himself on sharing his passion for sustainability and the environment, and the Connected Garden now runs educational programs with local schools and groups like Elizabeth Grove Primary School, Playford International College and Midway Road Community House.

It’s his focus on community outreach that led

Joe to receive Playford’s 2023 Australia Day Citizenship of the Year Award.

Humbly, Joe is adamant the award is a shared effort and reflects the dedication of the entire Connected Garden community.

“The garden shares my name but it’s truly a collective,” he said. “We help each other out. It’s the nature of this street, it’s the nature of Elizabeth. It’s much more like that than any other suburb I’ve been in.”

For more information on Joe’s Connected Garden, including events and sales, follow on Facebook @joesconnectedgarden or call 0402 298 409.