Where we live we’re lucky enough to have room for a garden. It’s not huge but it is diverse and it keeps us constantly busy. Part of its appeal comes from its trees, both deciduous and evergreen, many of which are large and well established.
They create beauty, privacy and shade. The shade is lovely in the summer. It’s also, unfortunately, less than lovely for growing herbs and veges, plants which thrive in the sun.
We have found a solution though. At the office, we have a big beautiful balcony. So we’ve turned it into a herb and vegetable garden in the sky. We’ve created large wooden planter boxes and filled them with edible plants. At this time of year we’re focussing on summer herbs and veges, which anyone on our team can harvest for fresh ingredients for salads, barbecues, or whatever’s on the family menu.
Many of the seedlings just recently planted in this elevated garden were cultivated by Kati’s mum, who’s a dedicated and skilled herbalist.
Edible plants make up the majority of the plants, but we’re also establishing a small hedge (using Escallonia ‘Gold Brian’) for wind protection, and there’s also a smattering of bulbs and succulents in the sunniest spots. Some purple irises are currently in bloom and look especially stunning.
In the drier months we keep the garden irrigated with regular dripfeeds from an automated watering system, and it works a treat. Thanks go to Water Dynamics Auckland for their advice. Fortunately, the balcony deck has treads with gaps, and there’s concrete paving below, which allows untroubled drainage!
It’s a small but satisfying project that brings many benefits. It provides enjoyment. It helps reduce our food bills. It beautifies our premises. And who knows, perhaps in the tiniest way, it may even be reducing our carbon footprint. We like to think so.