My Secret Garden

I have always been fascinated with plants and growing vegetables. When I was 10 years old I had a quarter of our suburb block under cultivation and was fascinated by horticulture. In my working career I had several very fascinating positions in scientific research in horticulture. I really enjoyed my working life, however all the growing techniques were based on non-organic and certainly non-Permaculture ethos. I then lectured at TAFE North Ryde horticulture in plant tissue culture. I had my own home  orchid cloning laboratory. Fifteen years ago I moved to the Central Coast Bateau Bay and I joined the Central Coast Permaculture group. This was where I found the knowledge and inspiration I was looking for. I completed the Permaculture course at Wyong TAFE with Kerry Anderson Synergy Permaculture. This was my beginning in Permaculture I was always very aware of the pesticide hazards and risks.

I have a suburban garden block with very sandy soil. I need to continually add organic material to improve my soil to be productive for vegetables and fruit trees. I am totally self sufficient in fruit production with mulberry tree, lemon, lemonade, fig, grapevines, cherry guava, feijoa, bananas and pawpaw. I grow most of the vegetables, usually focusing on salad greens, spinach etc. and herbs I require focusing on some root vegetables, yacon & taro.  I have a native bee hive and worm farm and cold composting bin. I really enjoy my Secret Garden and enjoy working in it.