Weed Dating Oz calls for more single farmers

When there’s no sex in the city or pickups in the paddock, single Tasmanians can try swapping swipes for seedlings to find a more meaningful way to connect.

A unique gardening-based dating event, Weed Dating Oz, is returning this winter after a sold-out debut at Longley Organic Farm in February, with the next opportunity to plant a few seeds being on Saturday, June 27, at Material Institute in Bridgewater.

The aim is to bring together singles for a dating experience built around shared activity, conversation and time spent outdoors rather than screens and algorithms. It’s expected to be particularly popular with people who have a passion for the land, and just passion in general.

Farmers, particularly men, are in high demand, with spots for women quickly reaching saturation point.

It is run by two Kingston women, both permaculture designers and flatmates who came up with the concept.

The event comes amid growing discussion about dating app fatigue, loneliness and the challenges many people face forming genuine connections in an increasingly digital world.

Farmers in particular struggle to meet members of the opposite sex due to their isolation.

“We kept hearing the same thing from people: they’re exhausted by apps,” said Weed Dating Oz founder Helen Kwiecien.

“People are craving opportunities to meet face-to-face, without the pressure of trying to impress someone across a table or judge them from a profile. We wanted to create an experience where connection could emerge naturally.

“The people who come along are usually looking for something more authentic than endless swiping and they’re often thoughtful, down-to-earth people who care about how they live and relate to others. 

“It’s surprisingly easy to strike up a conversation when you’re weeding a garden bed together, and those shared moments often reveal far more than a carefully curated profile ever could.”

Rather than speed dating, participants spend time together undertaking light seasonal garden activities, including propagating, seed saving and gentle garden work beneath the shelter of Material Institute’s poly tunnels.

Material Institute is a Tasmanian charity with a vision for connected communities shaping regenerative futures. 

Its natural beauty lab, onsite kitchen and market garden are places to host workshops and events and its 24 Carrot Kitchen Garden program is in 24 schools around the state, teaching children how to grow, prepare and share real food.

The Weed Dating format is designed around a simple principle: when people are focused on a shared task, conversations tend to feel easier, more authentic and less forced.

Plus a lot of weeding gets done.

Following the sold-out launch earlier this year, the winter edition introduces tailored age categories and longer connection times based on participant feedback.

There’s acoustic music and prompt cards for when the conversation dries up.

“We’ve become experts at finding each other through screens, but for most of human history, connection started by sharing a place, a task or a conversation,” Weed Dating Oz co-host Mitzi Quill said.

“We’re simply creating opportunities for people to slow down, get their hands in the soil and see what grows.”

No gardening experience is required and places are limited and bookings are essential.

Winter Weed Dating Oz is on Saturday, June 27 at Material Institute, 2A Eddington Street, Bridgewater 10am-12pm for ages 25-40 and 40-55 and 1pm-3pm for ages 35-50, 40-55 and 50-65.

Cost is $50 and bookings are through Humanitix or Weed Dating’s Facebook or Instagram events section.