A productive country garden with numerous raised beds of vegetables

Roses, perennials and bulbs create a colourful entrance to the Brooker Garden. The real heart of the garden is to the side of the large corner block – an outstanding productive area jam-packed with raised beds of vegetables and many fruit trees.

The traditional-style house was built in 2001. Brenda and Sonny were passionate about growing their own produce and wanted to achieve some degree of self-sufficiency, so establishing the garden was a priority for them. Originally, vegetables were grown in the ground, but after installing the first raised beds, their numerous benefits became apparent, and over time, more were added.

Low, unreliable rainfall, bore water, baking hot summers and frosts through winter and into spring presented problems, but with thought and perseverance, trial and error, ways were found to overcome the many difficulties. The Brookers use organic methods, and many years of mulching, adding organic matter, and composting have improved the fertility of the soil and its capacity to hold moisture.

A range of fruit trees, including quandong, apples and stone fruits, are grown in the ground, and dwarf varieties are planted in large containers. Pineapples in pots are placed on the eastern veranda, where there is some frost protection. Another novelty is peanuts grown as a summer crop.

As well as edibles, several roses separate the house and the productive garden, and a selection of natives are scattered throughout. There is a henhouse, water tanks and a composting area.

Brimming with edible and ornamental plants, the Brooker Garden is an excellent example of a productive country garden established following organic principles.