Visit Laura and Frank 23 September 2018

The first food garden visit of the season!  The forecast was for a cool 11-degree day with showers, so we could have had a small group of us trying to stay out of the rain. But no, like so many times before, the sun came out, an enthusiastic crowd turned up, and a great time was had by all.

Frank and Laura have only been at their Otago Bay property along the Derwent river for a bit over one and a half years, so it surprised no one when they called their garden very much a work in progress.  It was great to see how much work they have done in that time, and it was well worth showing to our group.

We first looked at their thriving vegetable garden - see photos below. The house protects this spot from strong winds that often come across the river.

I was surprised to see almost ripe peas so early in the season, but Laura explained that, because their property is right next to the river, they have a pretty perfect micro-climate, and year-round production! They have been eating peas all winter, mostly snap peas, but now also standard peas! 

I felt there was a bit of a mystery here.  The vegie area has very little fencing to keep the wild life out.  Laura explained that it is not needed.  Laura and Frank live on a 2.5 acre bush block and must somehow have persuaded the local wild life that their lush green vegie garden is not worth eating.  I am sure most people on bush blocks and out in the country would love to know their secret.

The main path between beds got many comments because its layer of tree seed pods looked so decorative.  Laura explained that it also has a practical function - the dog does not walk on the path because it does not like the feel of the pointy seeds.  So no digging in the vegie patch.  Clever!

We did not pay much attention to Frank's composting area, but I took a photo because it looked efficient and practical.

Then Laura (photo below) took the Food Garden Group on its first ever bush walk to point out the hazel nut trees that Frank planted among the gums and pencil pines along the upper fence line towards the river.  In coming years they might yield a nice crop of hazel nuts because, once again, the wild life is not interested.

On the other side of the property we were shown the new orchard Frank and Laura planted.  There is a wonderful variety of fruit and berries here that will provide a plentiful bounty in years to come.  Only the raspberries were not thriving and we discussed why this might be.  We talked about the need for a cage or netting to keep the birds away from the fruit.

At the bottom of the orchard are two old large hothouses that are empty at present, but they will become a major project in the next year or so.

The soil on this property is clay and you need a pick to dig a hole, so you can see how much work Frank did to plant so many trees.  Before planting each tree Frank filled every hole with compost and also added a pipe (on the left in the photo).  The pipes are about half a meter long and have holes drilled in the bottom half.  In summer Frank fills each pipe with water once a week.  That water then gradually disperses through the bottom half of the pipe.

In another part of the garden we found a thriving White Genoa fig tree. 

I also liked the large Borage bushes that were obviously very happy here. Borage leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber.  Borage oil is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, chest congestion, cough, depression, and menopausal symptoms.

I like to tell people that hosting a food garden visit can have many benefits for the host because our members have so much knowledge on so many food gardening issues, and because people are so generous.  On this occasion I would like to mention Scott, who gave Frank a Mollar de Elche Pomegranate bush, a great present that made our hosts very happy.  Thank you, Scott!

The produce table (photo below) was full of interesting stuff in spite of the fact that it is only the start of the season.

And the morning tea table had many delicious contributions that I did not get to try because I was too busy chatting.

Thank you very much, Laura and Frank, for being happy to open food garden season 2018 - 2019, and thanks everyone for contributing so much. Laura reported 'it was an easy morning to host, and we really enjoyed our morning in good company'.

I am already looking forward to next month's visit!