What is your passion and how did it develop?
When I was a kid, my favourite show on television was ‘The Good Life’ starring Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall. This show depicted a couple who decided to escape conventional living and become self-sufficient. It really resonated with me, and I always wanted to emulate this life as I got older. I created my first veggie garden when I was a teenager. Even though I had no idea how to garden at this stage of my life, I still managed to grow some delicious edibles that I could share with my family.
As I got older and had kids, my passion for growing my own food developed. I quickly realised that my kids were more than happy to eat their fruits and veggies - as long as they came from the garden! We then ventured into the world of chickens. I like to tell people I am a large-scale farmer with my ‘6 head of chickens’! The chickens have been a great addition to my self-sufficiency venture as they eat all the snails and bugs (and the occasional seedling!!). They also turn over the soil beautifully.
I find this passion for gardening and producing my own food is a good complement to my academic job, where I am generally inside and sitting down at a computer. Being outside in nature has always been my antidote to this sedentary life. Often my best ideas – from both a research and teaching point of view – are hatched when I am working in my garden!
How much of your time does it consume?
Very little to be honest. When you have an established veggie garden it really is very little work. I have raised garden beds and I use the no-dig method so this makes the job even easier. The chickens are also very little work, although cleaning out the chicken shed is not the most glamorous of tasks. In a lot of ways, I can’t afford not to garden, as it saves me time going to the supermarket… there is always something to eat, even if I haven’t ventured into Coles for weeks!
It enriches my life greatly. Often my best ideas are hatched when I am working in my garden!
What do you enjoy about it?
It enriches my life greatly. I love being outside and the feeling that I am doing my bit to help the environment and the health of myself and my son. My family and friends are also recipients of my garden. It actually gives me a lot of joy to give people ‘something small from my garden’.
What, if anything, does this passion and your enjoyment of it bring to your working life?
I think this passion helps to keep me happy and healthy, both physically and mentally. This in turn makes me a much better person and hopefully an engaging teacher.
I have also completed research relating to sustainability. For example, I have written research papers relating to the cut flower industry and the environmental, social and health problems that this industry can sometimes create. I have always enjoyed growing flowers as well, as I love the beauty of nature - it fills my heart with joy! Flowers also bring bees into my garden which help pollinate my veggies, so it’s a win-win.
Do you have any tips for someone considering giving this a go?
Just make a start. You don’t have to have the perfect setup straight away. You also do not need a large garden to grow veggies. I have grown huge amounts of food in a humble polystyrene box. Veggies generally like plenty of sun and I would also recommend putting a bit of effort into your soil before you plant. I also like growing ‘green manure’ over the winter months as this helps nourish, feed and clean up my soil.
