Permaculture Design Course (in Good Life’s name) back in 2013 and have loved bumping into them around the place – they’re doers these two, and rather talented ones at that. Fin is one of the gardeners at The Agrarian Kitchen (and makes a mean homebrew) and Cara works as a school gardener and a graphic designer and can do pretty much anything as far as I can tell. I paid a visit to their tiny rental home recently in central Hobart as word has got out about what they were up to. Not only do they have a beautiful multi layered garden in their own rental home, they also have a mini market garden AND they have a little shop out the front of their place where they sell homegrown produce, preserves and flowers. Oh the greatness!

Cara and Fin flanked by citrus trees, worm farm, scarlet runner beans, grapes, cucumbers, herbs, chillis and more

These two moved into the house a few months back – their landlord (another old student of ours) used to live here and planted a lot of fruit trees so these guys are now reaping the rewards of his work and taking it to the next level with adding a pumping vegetable garden in every nook and cranny they can find.

Annual and perennial crops (and these two lovely humans) live super closely side by side in harmony

Clotheslines aren’t safe around these folk – they become structures on which to grow edibles such as beans (above) and tomatoes (below). They definitely have their priorities straight…

Walking around Fin and Cara’s garden is like a treasure hunt as you get to find surprises like little worm farms hiding beneath the critus tree.

As well as selling vegies, flowers, herbs and preserves, Fin and Cara sell compost worm kits (online through gumtree) for people to kickstart their compost and garden. I know – they’re on fire aren’t they.

Fin sorting his worm castings from the worm farm

Then, out the back and around the corner of the garden is a small hot house used for propagating all their plants… And then there’s their kitchen – which is as tiny, spunky and productive as their gardens. Despite its smallness, it’s massively alive with ferments, preserves and good vibes – gotta have those vibes.

Sauerkraut in action

Now, in addition to this wonderful garden – Cara and Fin have also got busy and made a mini market garden at their friends place in the next suburb over. This is where they keep their chickens and grow bulk crops. Check it out… Finally, there’s their shop! This is where they sell all their excess produce and bring joy to everyone who gets to walk past it. This sweet-as shop sells all their latest produce from their two gardens plus any preserves or excess seedlings they have. There’s a simple ‘honesty box’ where people can pop in their cash and pick up their goods which means Fin and Cara don’t actually need to stand on the footpath all day, every day. You usually see this type of thing out the front of farms in the country – we love that they’re doing it in down town Hobart. Legends.

 

It happened to be Valentines Day when I dropped in – so the flower side of things was particularly pumping.

You can drop in and check out their shop anytime, it’s on the corner of York and Gosvenor St, Sandy Bay. If you’re lucky enough to actually see Fin and/or Cara while you’re there, be sure to given them a high 5 for making good stuff happen. *PS – On a tangent – if you ever need some super funky graphic design work done – Cara’s your woman, she’s a very multi talented lass this one. Track her down through they’re compost worm add here. **PPS – Thanks to Cara for letting us use some of her photos – all the good ones are hers. In fact if you ever need a photographer – ask Cara.]]>