Regular walks around the neighbourhood give close-up views of a wide range of gardens. From large house allotments to tiny apartment block balconies, combined with plantations in local parks and nature strips, an endless array of designs are on display.
Gardens Give Impressions
Taking much the same route most days gives a detailed impression of how these gardens change with the seasons.
Formally clipped and totally regimented designs contrast against chaotic weed infested mini-forests, each alluding to a human story.
Gardens Spark Imaginations
Observations during long walks help spark up the imagination, giving ideas about things to try on the farm.
On some occasions I get to chat with owners, getting their impressions and plans-each changing according to personal circumstances and prevailing trends.
Influences On Gardening Style
Gardens run by migrants used to be easy to spot based on fruit and vegetables grown in front yards, but this is now changing as more people are now doing the same. As families age, the emphasis naturally changes, such as an increase in low maintenance parts of the garden.
Decreases in house allotment sizes and more apartments featuring small balconies have also greatly influenced the style of gardening seen in the neighbourhood.
Community Gardening
Prevailing issues such as food miles, chemical and fertilizer use, carbon footprints and packaging have encouraged some local residents to become involved in community gardens.
The space devoted to fruit trees, vegetables and chickens is increasing at the expense of lawns in home gardens while communal gardening groups have helped turn mostly solitary activities into social occasions – pooling skills, resources and muscle power.
The Avid Colletor
There has however been one type of gardener that seems to be immune to garden trends – the avid collector. Going to great lengths to build on a collection, time and effort is spent searching for elusive species and varieties.
Often limited by space, collectors keep their stocks down to a couple of related plant groups such as cacti and succulents while plant societies become a focal point for like minded collectors.
Experiments On My Hobby Farm
Ideas gained when working in a retail plant nursery have also been the inspiration to try a range of experiments on the farm. Some doing well, others at best learning experiences, at worst a waste of time and a little money.
Combining observations and thoughts while walking or driving in both urban and rural settings has helped the farm to evolve in its own unique way.
Changes On My Hobby Farm
Along this journey since purchasing the farm in 2006, a more relaxed attitude towards weeds that seem impossible to eradicate has been necessary. Problems related to pests and diseases have also been tempered. Weeds are now seen as future compost while bugs are future bird food.
Photographs from early times have helped to highlight changes on the farm, recording the natural evolution of young plants growing and maturing – this has been the biggest farm experiment.