Meet the Garden Volunteers at The Old Mushroom Farm

The Old Mushroom Farm
3 days ago
4 min read

We’ve recently launched the Food Garden Volunteer Programme at The Old Mushroom Farm, and we’re so happy with the response. Applications have been steadily rolling in, and we’ve already welcomed our first few volunteers into the garden.

Working alongside our permanent gardener Bheki, volunteers help with everything from preparing beds to harvesting. Along the way, they also experience the slower rhythms of life on the farm.

We spoke to three of our early volunteers to hear about their time in the garden: Roschelle Kyd, Brendon Burroughs, and our weekly volunteer in residence, Sally Ovendale.

Meet Roschelle

Roschelle is from Kokstad and fairly new to gardening. Over the past few years she has been experimenting with a small garden at home, learning as she goes.

She had already visited The Old Mushroom Farm twice before joining the volunteer programme.

“The place really stayed with me,” says Roschelle, reflecting on a recent solo trip to the Midlands. “The atmosphere, the energy, the sense of calm.”

So when she saw a post about the volunteer programme on a Midlands Facebook group, it felt like perfect timing.

“It felt almost serendipitous.”

Roschelle decided to use a quieter period on the work front to spend time doing something she genuinely enjoys.

“Being outdoors, getting my hands dirty, helping where I can and learning — at a place I love.”

During her stay, Roschelle worked with Sally and Bheki to clear and prepare garden beds for planting. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for broccoli and cauliflower in the garden — Roschelle helped plant them.

“Staying at The Old Mushroom Farm feels a bit like living in a small village where life slows down just enough for you to breathe and really notice what's around you.”

Garden volunteers stay in the Boutique Apartments during their four day stint at The Old Mushroom Farm.

“The Boutique Apartments are beautiful with their mix of vintage pieces, art, and architecture. They are comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and fully equipped.” Roschelle shares.

She also enjoyed exploring the farm between garden sessions.

“Between browsing the little used bookshop and enjoying fresh bakes and great food at Home Slice or the pizza spot, it's a really special place to be.”

When asked how she spent her downtime, Roschelle shared:

“In the afternoons I did a bit of remote work, as I work online. I didn’t walk around the property as much as I probably should have — it’s beautiful! I did take a drive to Nottingham Road and came back via Curry’s Post. It was a good reminder of just how lovely the Midlands is.”

A Local Perspective: Brendon

While some volunteers travel from further afield, others come from nearby towns.

Brendon Burroughs lives in Hilton, just a short drive away. Even so, he found the experience offered a meaningful change of pace.

“The experience at The Old Mushroom Farm was deeply grounding for me,” he says. “It brought me back to the present moment and gave me a much-needed reset.”

“Working with the soil and plants reminded me of the importance of slowing down and connecting with nature. It was truly restorative.”

Sally, Our Weekly Garden Volunteer

Our lead volunteer, Sally Ovendale, lives just down the road in Howick and joins the gardening team every week.

Sally says she has “always gardened,” and although she has a garden at home, she enjoys coming to The Old Mushroom Farm for the social aspect as well.

“It’s lovely meeting young people.”

With years of gardening experience, Sally has a well-attuned eye for what needs doing in the garden. She often shares practical tips and demonstrations with Bheki, our permanent gardener, who has been building his skills in soil care, planting techniques, and mulching.

Sally focuses strongly on helping explain the principles behind good gardening practices — not just what to do, but why it matters.

“I like to think about gardening from the soil up,” she says.

Much of her recent work with volunteers has involved preparing beds for planting and bringing compost from the heap to revive the soil. Devising ways to decoy the ever-persistent snails is also an ongoing project.

“It’s a lovely garden,” Sally says. “Beautifully laid out with the avenue of lemon trees down the steps.”

She describes The Old Mushroom Farm Community Garden simply as a “happy space”.

“It’s lovely out here. There is water and compost in abundance.”

A Garden That Feeds the The Old Mushroom Farm

The garden at The Old Mushroom Farm is both large and productive. It supplies fresh greens to the restaurants on the property while also helping feed the staff who work here.

With the pace at which plants grow in the KZN Midlands, it’s also a space that requires constant care. Weeds appear quickly, and while some edible varieties make their way into the kitchen, others need clearing and composting so they don’t smother the garden.

Volunteers play an important role in keeping the garden healthy and productive, helping with the steady cycles of soil care, planting, mulching, and weeding that keeps things balanced.

Reflections from the Garden

For many volunteers, the experience extends beyond the garden.

“Honestly, everyone should experience volunteering at the farm,” says Brendon. “The staff are amazing — it genuinely feels like a family vibe. The owners and management are incredible people who make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.”

Roschelle agrees.

“I hope I can participate again in the future,” she says. “There’s so much to learn and also a lot that volunteers can offer.”

She was also struck by the openness of the community.

“Everyone who works at The Old Mushroom Farm is incredibly friendly and approachable, and I ended up chatting and connecting more than I expected to.”

Tips for Future Garden Volunteers

For those thinking about joining the programme, the advice is simple.

Roschelle recommends arriving prepared for a day outdoors.

“Bring a hat, sunscreen, and your own small pair of garden secateurs if you have them. Otherwise, just come with an open mind and a willingness to help with whatever the garden needs on the day.”

Brendon agrees on the essential:

“Bring a cap — and stay hydrated!”