03 Magazine: March 08, 2024

44 Magazine | Gardens
factor in the current popularity of the heritage varieties, and Nicky enjoys the
magic of the way a single bloom can reignite memories from childhood, or
transport someone back to their grandmother’s garden.
Against a backdrop of climate change and the contribution that toxic
chemicals make to the problem, Nicky is an avid promoter of the ‘slow
flower’ movement.
She uses no commercial sprays and all her flowers are seasonally grown. She
applies mushroom compost in spring and autumn, in the belief that healthy soil
creates healthy plants in a healthy environment.
Initially she adopted the chop ’n’ drop method, chopping up spent stems
and foliage and spreading them as mulch around the farm, to be incorporated
naturally back into the soil. However, experience taught her that this organic
material could become a breeding ground for diseases before it broke down
sufficiently, so these days all her green waste is composted – she grew
pumpkins in the compost pile this year.
Around the pond beside the flower beds Nicky has planted 18 willow trees,
the goal being to harvest the branches for basket and wreath making, both of
which she teaches in workshops.
Near them is a newly planted shelterbelt of ninebark, Acacia baileyana
‘Purpurea’, eucalyptus and birch. She loves the look of the white papery bark of
the birch set against the blue-purple tinge of the acacia.
A small weatherboard studio has been built at the edge of the site,
overlooking the flower garden. Nicky is a keen painter (when she can find
the time) and her dream is to be able to paint botanical works in her studio
through winter.
Over the coming year she plans to put in some raised beds to grow
shoulder-season varieties such as heirloom chrysanthemums.
To ease the workload, Nicky has employed a friend to help her pick one
day a week. She can now enjoy the work of cutting and harvesting rather than
worrying the whole time about the sun dipping out of sight before she
is finished.
Students from the local floristry schools in Christchurch and Lincoln
University have also come on board as interns and for work experience.
Nicky appreciates the help, and the knowledge trade has been invaluable for
both parties.
Nicky says her next focus is to get smarter about how she operates –
flipping beds and using them all the time instead of letting them sit idle.
Her goal is to utilise every piece of dirt to its full capacity, to be as productive
as possible on her small plot.
She plans to build up an English-style long border display garden, and
eventually to offer the property as a wedding venue. Portuguese laurels are
already growing and beginning to set the scene.
Her advice to anyone thinking of heading down this path is just do it, but
start small.
“The more I do, the more capable I feel. I pride myself on the quality of my
flowers, and it’s just such good therapy having your hands in the dirt. Nurturing
baby plants and seeing them come to fruition, seeing the joy they bring people;
I’m in love with the whole process.”
NOTES FROM NICKY
Growing from seed
I germinate my seeds in three ways:
1. In cell trays in the greenhouse.
2. In plastic milk bottles (see over the page). This is a great method for
hardy annual seeds.
3. Direct in the field. Some plants, such as bells of Ireland, larkspur and
orlaya white lace, can be more successful if direct sown, though I
often sow these in cell trays so I can maintain control over spacing.