Meet The Gardeners: Plot 18
Interview with Hanna and Al, plot number 18.
This is the first edition in our new series featuring our very clever gardeners at Ashburton Community Garden. If you would like to be featured, please contact Hanna. We would love to meet as many gardeners here on the website as possible!
Please introduce yourselves.
I’m Hanna - I enjoy volunteering for the community garden by managing the content here on our website. I am a primary school teacher, but am currently loving life on maternity leave. We welcomed our own little flower Lyra Rose into the world last October! I grew up in country Victoria on a hippy hobby farm, so I have always enjoyed growing things, exploring self-sufficiency, and being in tune with the seasons.
Al is a sports journalist who loves de-stressing in the garden. He loves being out in nature and documents his adventures through photography (which you can check out here if you’re interested!).
Our gardening assistant is Lenny, our darling Australian terrier mutt.
What inspired you to join the community garden and how long have you been a member?
We joined the community garden in 2021. Basically we ran out of gardening space in our backyard and needed more room! We were also keen to connect with our local community and meet some like-minded people.
What do you like to grow?
Our plot is the flower plot! In the summer season, we love dahlias (it’s become an obsession), cosmos, sunflowers and some edibles like tomatoes. In the spring we love ranunculus, larkspur, poppies and sweet peas. We also love leafy greens and strawberries.
What has been a challenge in your plot?
It has been lots of trial and error, and a bit of heartbreak as we have experimented during our gardening journey. The one plant I keep trying each year and just cannot grow is luffa! I dream of growing it and giving them away as Christmas gifts the following summer, but just cannot make it past the seedling stage.
Why do you enjoy gardening?
Gardening is good for the soul. Getting outside, getting your hands in the earth, and cultivating beautiful things is a recipe for a happy life!
What are you excited to grow next?
I love the anticipation of the upcoming season! This summer we are going to have a raspberry in a pot in our plot. It lived in our backyard, which has become a shadier climate due to maturing trees, so we are hoping that we can enjoy some fresh raspberries again!