by Carla Caruso

Jill Woodlands’ surname is apt as she couldn’t love trees—and plants—more. (On Instagram, she also goes by the appropriate Jill Digs.)

The horticulturalist and ardent gardener manages the Diggers Garden Shop—the home of heirloom vegetables and flower seeds—at the Adelaide Botanic Garden (in Park 11).

She’s also a co-founder of the Nature Festival, on in SA from October 6 to 16, 2022.

As well, her historical research once uncovered the ‘Forest League’, a secret society of Adelaide establishment figures, who came together to protect natural forests and urge the government to regenerate large areas.

Last year, Jill was named the inaugural winner of the Pelzer Prize, which celebrates the state’s ‘green heroes’ and honours Adelaide’s first city gardener, August Wilhelm Pelzer.

On her eco roots, Jill says: “I grew up in Sydney, in a family of gardeners, surrounded by a camellia and azalea nursery and next to a koala sanctuary. So, [imagine] lots of beautiful eucalypts, [which were] very noisy come mating season!

“This is definitely one of the reasons I love the Park Lands—for the brilliant variety of trees and birdlife.” We chatted to Jill, below, about all things ‘green’.

Hi, Jill. Please tell us about your background in horticulture and gardening.

I trained at the Ryde School of Horticulture, with gardening stints in Cyprus and the UK, before moving to SA in 1989.

[I] spent 20 very happy years, living in Brompton and gardening the streets with [community group] Hindmarsh Greening—first planting trees on the old pug hole sites, then painting stobie poles with flowers [before] moving to mosaic pots.

I’ve always gardened, whether it’s the nature strip, tending a plot at a community garden, pots on a front verandah, or big flower and veggie beds. Most of all, I love planting trees.

Please share how you’re involved with the Nature Festival.

I am one of the founding members of the Nature Festival, first established in 2020, and help inspire and curate a cornucopia of events that celebrate our deep love of nature.

We’re South Australians—of course, we love our nature and want to show it off! By the way, there is still time to register an event (until August 25).

Also, check out the Nature Festival website for information about the Nature Film Festival, which is open for entries ‘til September 1.

*Jill captured these red hot poker plants at the Adelaide Botanic Garden. “A winter food source for birds,” she says.*

What’s an average day like managing the Diggers Club shop at the Botanic Garden?

I’ve been the manager at the Diggers Garden Shop since we opened nearly 11 years ago.

Most of the time I was job-sharing whilst also working at the Conservation Council of SA and Nature Conservation Society of SA. But, for the last 18 months, I have been full-time.

It’s such a wonderful place to work. My favourite times are hearing about family seed-sharing stories—seeds that have been shared across generations.

I was given a pomegranate recently by a Greek lady, whose grandfather brought it out to Australia on a boat in the 1960s, and every member of the family has one growing.

I also love that just about anyone could walk in the door. We recently had a nun choosing seeds to go to an orphanage in Nepal.

We have a lot of folk who grew up outside Australia, looking for seeds or plants to start them on their new garden journey.

We have lots of regional and rural Diggers Club members [too], as well as interstate and overseas tourists. A terrific variety of people, and I find that discussing gardening, seeds and favourite trees is a wonderful unifier.

*Flower portraits taken by Jill in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.*

Anything new and exciting happening at the shop?

Diggers has some wonderful talks coming up at the Nature Festival, with a focus on how the humble gardener can make the world of difference.

[We’re] also planning edible flower taste tests. Keep an eye on our Insta [page] for more details.

*Jill recently shared this magazine pic on Instagram. As she writes: “How wonderful that the River Red Gum made the cover of the* Australian Women’s Weekly *on July 4, 1956. The ‘old warrior’ near Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills - I’d love to think it was still standing proud. I found this [magazine] in an op shop.”*

Favourite spots in your Adelaide Park Lands?

I really love wandering in Wirrarninthi (Park 23 or GS Kingston Park)—West Terrace Cemetery with its history, the amazing old quandong trees, the education trail, and the surprising wetlands nearby.

I’ve always marvelled at the old olive groves and have always loved the glorious, stately trees standing proud at the southern end of Victoria Park (Pakapakanthi, Park 16)—now near the wetlands.

And I have to mention the Himeji Garden (Park 18) for its tranquility and horticultural surprises. Honestly, there is so much to enjoy and discover.

Much-loved spots in the Adelaide Botanic Garden?

Definitely the Aussie Forest—some really magnificent forest giants that previous directors had the foresight to plant. A wonderful legacy.

I also really love the old Palm House. When I first came to Adelaide, I remember it was bursting at the seams with all manner of palms and was locked up, awaiting renovation [for] the now Madagascan collection.