My Pride of Place: Jessie's Self Sufficiency Journey

I was fortunate to purchase a property with a traditional two bedroom railway villa and a mostly bare backyard, so had the freedom to create my garden from a blank canvas.
Name: Jessie, lover of the outdoors, growing produce, and quiet living.

Location: Taumarunui, Ruapehu District

Garden size: 700m2 section

Out front I’ve established a traditional cottage garden filled with dahlias, salvia and echium, and pathways lined with lavender.

In the backyard I’ve created a space of raised beds and bark pathways, and last winter converted the back third of my property into ground beds and a mini orchard, with feijoa, peach, orange, plum and persimmon trees.

I love to garden because it connects me to my community and whānau, increases my self-sufficiency, keeps me in tune with the seasons, and helps to care for our pollinators. My dad taught me how to sow seeds, and which months to do so for which vegetables. He taught me how to recognise when pumpkins were ready for harvest, and that planting broad-beans after brassicas was the way to go. He learnt to garden from his father - and never was there a man more passionate about his vege gardens than my grandpa.

Knowing how to grow our own food is one of the single most important things we can pass on to our children.

We can always be a little more calm in our hearts, and there is always more to learn within these natural spaces.

The biggest challenge I have is keeping my māra (garden) hydrated through the hot dry summers whilst being mindful of water use. Ways I manage my soil moisture is by mulching! I grow plants like tithonia and comfrey to make mulch, which add nutrients whilst providing a thick cover over the beds. I’m also a fan of the chop and drop technique! It might not look the prettiest but it’s so practical and beneficial for the soil.

Head to @tuigardenandhome on Instagram to meet more Kiwi gardeners! >

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