Cristina and Vince moved into their newly finished home in Isabella Plains in 1988. The large 1,075 square metre block was a blank canvas containing a challenging foundation of builder’s fill. Consequently, soil was imported for constructing all of the original garden beds. There wasn’t a design but, none the less, there was a focus on growing productive plants including fruit trees and veggies. In fact, a veg patch and lawn area were the first things to be planted.
Today the garden is thriving and well established. There are two exemplary olive trees growing, a Kalamata and Spanish variety. They are surprisingly advanced for 10-year-old trees. The trees receive no additional water yet are laden with plump fruit each year. Vince said there was originally a natural creek running through the area, which accounts for a lot of in-ground moisture. Vince’s brother prunes the trees each season to maintain their height, promote air circulation and maximise sunlight to all parts of the tree.
The fruit is harvested late autumn and winter and is preserved by drying and brining. To dry, Cristina puts the olives in a cane basket lined with a light, open weave material. She adds coarse cooking salt and gives the olives a toss each day, until they shrivel and reduce in size. The salt is then removed before the olives are tossed in a little olive oil, garlic and parsley. Cristina stores the olives in a plastic container in the fridge.
There is an impressive 15-year-old Meyer lemon tree, growing in a protected and sunny spot near the house. I have never come across such a healthy and fruit-laden tree in our climate! Vince fertilises the tree with Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit pellets each spring. It is also given a hard prune each September after the worst of the frosty weather has passed and before active growth has resumed (also by Vince’s brother).
The enclosed back porch and eaves of Vince and Cristina’s home is practically bulging with pot plants, many in hanging baskets. Included in this lovely collection are several four-year-old Schlumbergera cacti, growing in hanging baskets under the eaves. Cristina uses a standard premium quality potting mix and gives the plants no additional fertiliser. They are watered weekly.
The veg patch is kept productive year-round. Summer produce is eaten fresh, cooked and preserved. Cristina bottles green tomatoes and capsicums in a brine made of vinegar, water, salt, garlic, chilli and oregano. The flavour isn’t unlike that of pickled cucumbers. Broad beans are one of their favourite winter crops. Vince adds sheep manure to the veg patch and veg pots each growing season.
All watering utilises rainwater from three tanks on the property, which hold 13,000 litres. An automated irrigation system is only used when they go on holidays. The tanks are hidden by a thriving Valencia orange tree.
This much loved and cared for garden is full of whimsical and wonderful garden art and statues. Cristina said a lot was purchased locally, as well as some abroad, and they paint the pieces themselves.
RIGHT: The garden is full of whimsical garden art, very popular with the grandkids. Â
