Off the Road

Well, avid readers, I'm back! Following an extended summer jaunt that saw me successfully take in a good portion of New Zealand's South Island (and only exploding my van’s battery once) I have landed back in Dunedin once again to carry out the final two months of my placement. Though, admittedly, most of my time on the road was spent recreationally, I did set aside some time to look into a blog-worthy project that has been of interest to me since my arrival on these far flung shores. Two weeks into my time here in Dunedin, I heard about a family that had established and grown what was being described as a ‘Forest Garden’ at their home in the small coastal town of Riverton. A low energy input growing system based upon the ecological relationships of a forest, an established 'forest garden' is able to produce an abundant variety of perennial vegetable and fruit crops with a minimal amount of maintenance. The concept fascinated me with its unique combination of ecology, inventive design, biodiversity and practicality. After doing some more research, I managed to get in touch with Robert and Robyn Guyton and arranged a week’s stay with them in order to view their work first hand and help out in any way that I could. 

The Guyton Household- Riverton, NZ

As it turns out, very little help was required in the forest itself aside from a few small plantings- a testament to the low maintenance requirements of the garden! However, the Guyton’s food forest is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of their environmental endeavours and there was plenty to get my teeth stuck into! Since moving to Riverton over twenty years ago, Robert and Robyn have been instrumental in establishing a number of fantastic horticultural projects including a community orchard (and a secret guerilla orchard), an organic gardeners network, a living catalogue of heritage varieties of fruit tree specific to Southland, New Zealand and Riverton’s very own Environment Centre, a one stop shop for organic produce and information located on the town’s main street. Inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover my time in the company of these lovely and incredibly generous folks. Upon my arrival, Robert gave me a detailed tour of “the system” as he referred to it, which covers almost two acres surrounding the family home.

View from the back door.

Meandering through the garden, it did not take long to become totally immersed (and a bit disoriented) within its wild beauty. The ground is thick with leaf and plant matter that is left where it is to decompose rather than being swept aside and turned into waste. Robert informs me that this process of heavy mulching with organic matter over the past 20 years has led to test sample of soil displaying a perfect balance of all nutrients apart from selenium (and that is only because the element is lacking in all of New Zealand’s soil). Beneficial perennial herbs form a healthy understory for apple, plum, peach, walnut and hazel trees dotted across the landscape. Each fruit tree has been selected and grafted by Robyn who delights in telling me their history as we pick and grade apples later in the week.  Scattered throughout the system also are currant and raspberry bushes that give off a bumper crop of soft fruit each year. All in all around 450 plant species are grown within the garden, many of them edible- all of them useful. There is no weeding to be done in the system either as carefully planned succession of plantings and lack of open cultivated ground keeps common weeds from taking hold. Pests and diseases are similarly notable by their absence. Thanks to the innate biodiversity of the forest garden, pests are predated on before they get to become a problem. Unlike many conventional gardens, plant are protected through solely natural means without needing to resort to toxic chemicals time and time again as a short term solution.

Deep in the Forest...

I believe that a lot can be learned from the Guyton's forest garden. It serves as a useful reminder that horticulture need not be a constant battle against plants and their natural processes but a joyful and beneficial undertaking, for both gardener and the environment alike! It is amazing what you can do when you don't have a lawn...

Not a blade of grass in sight!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Guyton family for hosting me and allowing me into their home. Your time was gratefully received. Long may your forest grow!

The Guytons and I.