9 years in a row: meet the Backyards Trail #1 fan!

Kia ora Jenny, do you remember why you visited the Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail for the first time?

Kia ora, I think it was 10 years ago. I actually came up from Wellington for a Len Lye exhibition and went to one of the gardens that was in the Rhododendron Festival.

I think that was the first year of the Sustainable Backyards Trail. And the minute I saw that and realised there was a whole range of gardens, I've been coming every year and that has taken up pretty much all our time.

The Commune, Backyard #13, Stratford.

Do you have an idea of how many gardens you visited every year?

I try to get through all of them! So maybe around five a day. It is military precision! We would get up very early and we would be at the first garden by 10:00am. We'd make a packed lunch so we don't have to stop. We'd eat lunch, you know, by the road or in our car or whatever, so that we could get at least five gardens a day!

I think I manage to visit all the Backyards every year.

Do you usually bring friends and family with you?

Yes, I used to fill up the car with a bunch of gardening friends and bring them to Taranaki! We’ve been thinking of renting of full house, maybe next year!

Do you remember any inspiration or technique you brought home to Wellington and used?

Oh my... There'll be so many because I take notes in a notebook and take it around.

This year, I’d say growing avocados. I knew before I came that we wanted to go to the avocado talk at Clarty (#12). We went on day 1 and it was fabulous.

Being able to discuss with owners is marvellous. I remember learning about how close people plant various plants and trees. And also the whole idea of food forests, that's something that I was introduced to here.

There's no shortage of ideas and just talking about how people have tried something and what they've found has worked and hasn't worked is really useful. Pollinator gardens are also a big one I discovered on the Trail.

Watts Good, Backyard #20, Hāwera.

Do you have any all-time favourite sustainable backyards?

One of them was years ago and it was North rural. They had a large macadamia nut farm orchard. They also had a phenomenal vegetable garden and a lovely area for chickens. I have chickens as well at home so it was quite interesting to see how different people manage their chickens.

There's also Greenbridge which is an all-time favourite of mine. They have an amazing glasshouse and wicking beds. I would go back there every year!

I can also name Roebuck Farm. I've been there twice and just everything Jodi does is great, including his enthusiasm!

I have so many favourites, it’s hard to pick! I also really like to return to the same Backyards to see what has been changing. Villa Bumblebee, Clarty and Heart & Soil with Mieke are also some favourites I was excited to visit again this year.

What do you think is special about the Sustainable Backyards Trail?

It’s really interesting to visit all these gardens because they all have restrictions (space, sun, money, wind, etc.) and we can see how people have overcome them.

What I love about this Backyards Trail festival is that people are making incredible gardens with the resources they have. And that to me, is so exciting and so innovative. If you want to see what’s possible to do at your place, you will find a big range of ideas on the Trail.

How did you originally get involved in gardening and growing?

I grew up in Wellington in the 1960s, where my father grew vegetables and some fruit, though there were limitations on what could be planted due to the climate. Despite being told that certain fruits, like apricots, couldn't grow in the area, I now grows those very fruits. My interest in gardening began early, inspired by my father’s enthusiasm for gardening, including growing exotic plants like tamarillos and datura, as well as their love of garden design, aesthetics, and nature.

I later became involved in gardening communities, running the Wellington Soil and Health group and later a garden group in Eastbourne for 17 years. My focus on organic gardening and avoiding chemical sprays has been a constant interest. Growing up with a father who was an avid composter deeply influenced my approach to sustainable gardening.

As a teacher, gardening was a side passion, fitting into evenings and weekends. After transitioning to a small teaching business, I moved to a property on a sand dune, which presented challenges in growing plants. Over time, I learned how to create soil in the sandy environment and have developed a large vegetable garden and a small orchard. Despite the challenges of growing in sand, I have continued my gardening efforts, making the most of the space and developing techniques to improve the soil!

Thank you so much for your time and support, and we hope to see you next year!

Yes, you will! This is one of our yearly highlights!

Pouakai Farm, Backyard #22, Ōkato.

Learn more about the Backyards and plan your Trail here: www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz