Meet the gardeners and their garden

Kon’s backyard is full of all the vegetables and fruits that make up a Mediterranean diet. Nowadays we call it the healthy Mediterranean diet! But, for Kon, this garden reminds him of his Greek heritage. He will tell you about the rosemary that adds flavour to his favourite Greek roast lamb, or the tasty tomatoes, cucumbers and basil that make a refreshing summer salad.

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How does your garden grow?

I grow all my vegetables and herbs in raised garden beds.  This is much easier for me in planting out seedlings and also keeping an eye out for pests.  I really recommend raised garden beds for older gardeners and also for people with back problems.  I mulch around my fruit trees which include lemons, oranges and mandarins.

What are some of your gardening challenges?

My neighbours have some large trees that block out the early morning sun for some of my vegetable beds.  Coronet Bay is very windy, so I use shade cloth around my vegetable beds to protect young vegetables and to keep away the birds.  I also put mesh wire guards around young plants to keep away the snails.

Be inspired and learn!

Kon says: I have had a lot of success in growing very large red cabbages through adding mushroom compost and chicken manure to my garden beds.  I don’t keep chickens, but there are some farms near me which sell chicken manure.  You need to dilute the chicken manure and not place it directly against young seedlings.

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Garden extras

Ask Kon about his favourite Greek recipes or ask him to show you his seedlings, which he often gives away to his friends.