Where: In the back hills of Mangawhai
Size: 1 acre
Soil & climate: Boney dry clay in summer & winter. Hot all-day sun, top ridge windy, hammered from the northeast. Below the ridge, sheltered from existing totara bush.
Aspect: North-facing slope, steep.
Pests & weeds: Gorse, ex-farm, possum, rabbits, kikuyu, thistles, dock.

Design brief.

Steep hillsides are most often problematic. These particular clients were new to lifestyle-productive properties and gave me the complete authority to design and implement whatever I felt would work best with an emphasis on low maintenance and fruit trees. This was a dream job.

A new build, this entire garden was terraced with a digger, pathways built and ‘planted out’ in only one year. Fruit trees were established around the property depending on aspect and shelter. Natives and ferns were thoughtfully placed in the cooler areas, in & around their house.