Raised beds growing an impressive range of heirloom vegetables and fruits, starring 20 varieties of tomatoes.

For over eleven years, the custodians of Belty Croft have cared for their property with a clear goal: to leave the land and soil in a better state than when they arrived. Nine years ago, a vegetable patch was created in a paddock, designed to produce nutrient-dense food while supporting wellbeing through a close connection with soil and nature.

The patch features 16 large raised beds in a geometric design, supported by a series of wicking beds. In the courtyard, more wicking beds and a herb garden provide daily essentials. Beds for medicinal plants and flowers attract beneficial insects, complemented by two bee hives. Compost bays recycle organic waste, while a dye garden provides natural colour for paper and fabric.

An impressive range of heirloom vegetables and fruits grows here, from cucumbers, pumpkins, and corn to chillies, capsicums, eggplant, rockmelon, watermelon, beetroot, and lettuce. A passion for tomatoes has led to the cultivation of over 20 varieties, with seed-saving and preservation ensuring the harvest endures well beyond the season. The adjoining orchard contains over 40 fruit trees, including citrus, apples, stone fruit, and figs, with additional fruit and nut trees lining the driveway. Surplus produce is kindly shared through Fruit Share Adelaide, and the owners also facilitate pruning workshops.

Beyond the patch, Belty Croft is transitioning to regenerative farming. Paddocks are being divided for cattle rotation, improving soil health with the help of their Belted Galloway cattle. Recently, 130 chickens were introduced to follow the cattle, enriching soil microbes and boosting fertility. Belty Croft is more than a productive garden—it is a thriving, closed-loop system where plants, animals, soil, and people sustain one another. This carefully tended landscape stands as an inspiring model of abundance, resilience, and care for future generations.