Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, Willow Creek Farm is the result of a determined vision, years of hard work, and a deep love for nature. Owners Cheryl and Steve made the bold decision to leave their coastal lifestyle at Christies Beach, trading morning walks along the sand for the challenge of developing a 30-acre property on the outskirts of Meadows. After three years of searching for the perfect location – whether it had a house or not – they found their blank canvas early 2020, just before the world changed with COVID.

Many thought they were giving up an ideal lifestyle, but for them, the real dream was building something from the ground up. Their first connection to the property was a striking willow tree by the creek, perfectly positioned in front of a north-facing home site.

Before moving to the farm, Cheryl had worked as a hairdresser for over 40 years, always bringing a touch of nature into her salon with fresh flowers, herbs, or sprigs of greenery. Gardening had always been a passion, but with only a small courtyard at their previous home, there was little room to truly explore it. Now, with acres to cultivate, she could finally focus on growing flowers on a much larger scale.

The farm quickly flourished. With childhood memories of Hydrangeas, Cosmos, and Pansies inspiring her plant choices, Cheryl set about filling the land with seasonal blooms. She initially had no intention of selling flowers, but as the house overflowed with poppies in their first spring, she began sharing them with friends and neighbours. A simple post in the local Meadows Facebook group generated unexpected interest, and soon, florists were reaching out through Instagram, eager to source her fresh, locally grown flowers.

Dahlias became a particular focus, with Cheryl fascinated by the process of growing and breeding new varieties from seed. Through careful cultivation, a mix of good soil, and premium biological fertilisers from Neutrog—including Sudden Impact for roses, Seamungus, and Rooster Booster—the farm has produced stunning, in-demand ‘Willow’ Dahlia varieties. They also nurture a diverse range of seasonal flowers, including Ranunculus, Snapdragons, Zinnias, Chrysanthemums, and Sweet Peas, all grown in an open-air, bee-friendly environment without harmful chemicals.

Beyond the flowers, the couple has invested in the long-term health of their land.

They enrich the soil with Meatworks Blood & Bone before planting, while Bush Tucker fertiliser supports their 200 newly planted native trees. Every choice is made with sustainability and plant health in mind, ensuring the farm continues to thrive year after year.

Now, after five years of hard work, Willow Creek Farm is a thriving, ever-evolving project. What started as a dream under the shade of a willow tree has become a flourishing flower farm, deeply connected to the local community and beyond.

You can find out more about Willow Creek Farm on Instagram and at willowcreekflowers.com.au.

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