We began this garden in 2021, starting with a blank slate of lawn, two callistemon trees, and plenty of potential. Since then, we’ve gradually transformed the space into a productive suburban food garden.
The garden now includes raised vegetable beds, seasonal flowers, vertical growing experiments, chickens, and an expanding orchard of around 18 fruit trees, including our experimentation with the espalier method. Plant choices are guided by our warm-temperate, low-chill climate.
Alongside food production, the garden has become a thriving habitat. Increased planting diversity has brought a noticeable return of insects and wildlife, including native bees, hoverflies, dragonflies, birds, and blue-tongue lizards.
Our aim isn’t full self-sufficiency, but to grow more of what we eat, reduce waste, and create a garden our young family can learn from and enjoy together.
