Visit Hendrikus 21 April 2013

On Sunday 21 April 2013 we visited Hendrikus's garden at Leslie Vale

In her welcome at the start of this visit Rosalie Gorton-Lee explained that she and Hendrikus have a great partnership going whereby Rosalie does all the gardening around this 7.5 acre property and Hendrikus does all the handyman work at Rosalie's property at nearby Sandfly.

Rosalie explained that previous owners had many grey-hounds in wired enclosures and that these enclosures were the ideal starting point for quite a number of pest-free food-garden areas. The one in the photo below was converted into a semi-hothouse (no roof), which to date has provided great results.

The photo below shows another much larger enclosed area where Rosalie has improved the soil with compost and worm castings. This area has become really productive.

Three small sinks from the tip shop function as worm farms. Filled to the brim with horse manure copious amounts of worms below the manure are having a great time. Buckets catch the worm juice.

Below a photo of another really large enclosed area that houses all fruit trees and geese and this unusual combination works fine. Rosalie felt that more pruning and improving of soil is needed here. No one was in doubt that she would get to it one day soon.

In yet another enclosed area (so handy they were all already here when Hendrikus bought the property) Rosalie has vegetables on one side and berries on the other.

Everyone was very impressed with the amount of work Rosalie has done in just one year. Even more so, when you realise that this is 'Rosalie's second garden' as she also manages her own food garden at home in Sandfly.

We ended the visit with a great morning tea (thanks everyone who contributed) and a few words by a visiting German WWOOFer (work on farms in exchange for boarding). More about the WWOOF concept in our next newsletter.

Quite a few people had brought produce and plants. I went home with almonds that we are still very much enjoying. I wonder which garden they came from?

Many thanks to our perfect hosts Hendrikus, Rosalie and Ross. Everyone enjoyed an inspiring and informative Food Garden Group garden visit.

This text was previously published on the Food Garden Group blog. It was written by Max Bee.