From Day 1


These are the progress photos of one side of our vegie garden. What began with a new shovel and fork and a whole lot of hard work has resulted in a beautiful and productive area.

July, 2010

This is how the area looked, over run with seaside daisies, onion weed, wandering dew, fern and invasive succulents.



 Two days of hard work later, we discovered hidden stone garden-bed edging and concrete paths. The first piece of construction was the compost bin, with recycled timber and old oyster growing trays allowing air circulation. The front timber slats lift out to remove the composted compost.

August, 2010

We then made a couple of new garden beds, and added well rotted cow poo from the dairy, planted the first lot of seeds and mulched heavily with newspaper and hay to stop the persistent onion weed. Now just to let the garden grow. 

September, 2010

The vegies are starting to grow. Lettuces at the back. Spinach, capsicum, chilli, parsley and rosemary in the next bed. More chillies and beans in the next, then beetroot, spring onion and parsnip, closest.

October, 2010



December, 2010

The pumpkins grew self-seeded from the compost bin, and produced several tasty meals.



January, 2011



May, 2011

Our chook tractor rotation is improving the soil, and preparing the beds for this seasons plantings.
Since the establishment of the garden we have harvested watermelon, yacon, corn, Lebanese and apple cucumbers, zucchini, snow peas, bush and climbing beans, cherry and Roma tomatoes, rocket, butternut and jap pumpkin, vegetable spaghetti, lemon grass, eggplant, capsicum, chilli, lettuce, strawberries, shallots, parsnip, beetroot, spinach and herbs including parsley, rosemary, basil, chocolate mint, coriander, garlic chives and lemon thyme.

Permaculture principles have been incorporated through planting of flowers, including nasturtiums and marigolds to attract pollinators and deter pests; and companion planting. The bird bath is a popular place with the wrens and williwag tails.

Now to get back in the garden, watering the newly planted seeds waiting for them to poke their heads above the soil; and sit for a while and enjoy listening to the chooks clucking away and delighting in a dust bath.