Visit Margaret and Sweis 21 January 2018

On Sunday 21 January the Food Garden Group visited Margaret and Sweis' garden at Lenah Valley  



With views over the valley below, tall trees bordering the property down the steep slope, meandering paths, and a nice mix of productive and ornamental plants, this was a great garden to visit.

Here Margaret (on the right) welcomed us and explained that, although they have lived here for 37 years, gardening has really become a major hobby when she and husband Sweis retired a few years ago.  Sweis then took up the challenge of turning a steep slope with difficult clay into a very pleasant array of paths and terraced raised beds, and Margaret made it into a great combo of ornamental and productive. 

The photo above shows the hothouse in the background, and makes it clear how steep the garden is. 

Margaret and Sweis learned the hard way that what is not screened off or netted will be eaten, either by birds, rats, possums, or their dog, so screening off is now standard practice all around the garden.

Shade cloth is put on the hothouse in summer to keep temperatures down. 

Gutters on both sides of the hothouse roof catch rain and this is collected in tanks.  Bird netting covers the entrance, so nothing gets in when the doors are open.

Sweis showed us their LinkTap automated watering system.  It can be programmed via mobile phone or computer, even if you are not at home.  LinkTap will be discussed in more detail on the Food Garden Group blog in coming months.

A good example of companion planting: Borage and Marigolds with a tomato plant, in a raised bed, with more flowering plants in the background.

Fruit trees, including plums, cherry, apple, pear, and apricots, were scattered around the garden.

Thank you, Margaret and Sweis, for hosting this very pleasant and informative food garden visit.  We all had a great time.

Margaret made some very nice ginger beer for the occasion.  She gave me the recipe, so it can be shared with anyone who would like to have a go at making it.  If you are interested, please request it via foodgardengroup@gmail.com

These food garden visits are a great way to learn because the collective knowledge of the group is so amazing.  I got answers to questions I did not even know I had!

Morning tea was delicious.  It is worth coming just for that.  Thank you, everyone!
Lots of people shared lots of things on the produce table.  Terrific!

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