Meet the gardeners and their garden

jane’s garden is testament to her background as a horticulturalist and a former garden nursery owner. Since moving to Wonthaggi in early 2020, jane and Jonathan have landscaped their property with their main focus being the creation of a thriving edible garden. Most of the action happens in the large backyard which includes well-mulched garden beds, many fruit trees and raised vegetable beds. In summer and autumn, masses of sprawling pumpkin vines take over parts of the back garden and the fruits are shared with appreciative neighbours. Last year one of jane’s Musque de Provence pumpkins weighed in at 28 kilograms.

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How does your garden grow?

I grow most of my vegetables in raised garden beds as this helps with a painful back injury. It also makes it easier to fence off the vegetable beds with shade cloth for wind protection and to throw over loose netting in spring to protect young seedlings. Composting, mulching and annual soil enrichment are vital in growing food organically.

What are some of your gardening challenges?

We have installed fencing to keep neighbours’ cats out of our vegetable patches. Birds are generally managed with netting, although I’m also happy to share some of my garden produce with local wildlife, within limits!

Be inspired and learn!

jane says: I always plant for birds, possums, butterflies and ourselves. A fountain and birdbath are essential garden elements to provide drinking water for our avian friends.

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Garden extras

jane will have copies for sale of her book, Budget, Cook, Grow, that includes advice on seasonal planting for maximum crop yield and her ancestors’ traditional Italian, Slovenian and Hungarian recipes.