His nursery of plants is abundant with colour and fragrance and the health of the plants shines through when you walk into the yard.

Pat has been a gardener, growing, retailing and wholesaling plants since 1972 and his knowledge of plant varieties and correct plants for certain areas is extensive.

He set up and operated the Menangle Park Nursery, mostly retail of plants, and then in 1980 he set up and operated the Myrtle Creek Nursery at Picton.

Pat took time out from nursery work for a couple of years thinking he was going to retire but soon became bored.

He moved to Crookwell in 2002 and decided to grow some more plants.

“It’s infectious,” he explains.

Before long, he developed and grew a substantial range of plants for all garden types in his small sized back yard.

He now stocks a full range of natives and exotics with some of these plants being raised from seedlings. Their quality is outstanding!

All Pat’s plant range is aclimatised for this region and he offers advice for selection of plants for particular areas.

Pat‘s daughter is Catherine Ward from Binda who is a renowned artist in the local area.

Pat has a keen interest in the outdoors and is an energetic walker.

He has been growing plants since he was a small child and grew everything from vegetables to trees and shrubs.

“As I am aging I am finding it harder to remember plant species and names but I still have a great interest in growing healthy plants.

“The weather has a strong influence on what you plant around here, as the winters can be quite harsh with frosts and snow, and the summers can be the exact opposite being hot and dry.”

He takes a range of plants to the Laggan Markets on the third Saturday of the month and his nursery is accessible via Goulburn Street’s back lane opposite the entry of the swimming pool.

Look for the sign “Pat’s Plants”

The nursery is only closed on Tuesdays.