Member's Gardens > Stories from the One Acre Plot > Part 1 March 2006
by Phil Ryan

Friday 10th March 2006 marked the beginning of Autumn for me. Until then the heat and humidity of summer was the worst on record throughout Queensland.

In July this year I will celebrate five years at ‘The Plot’. The name comes from the grandchildren and it stuck. The one acre I am in contention with is part of a larger acreage which many years ago was sub-divided from the original dairy farm that also grew mangoes, bananas and other fruits, plus a range of veggies. However, my paddock (the one acre) facing North and bounded by large trees on the West, the South and the East, was a mess. About a third of it I discovered had a huge pit in it. What the old farmer had done was to take the good soil that had washed down the slopes and hillsides into this corner of the paddock, over many years, and use it to build swales and mounds in other areas of his farm. The deep, large hole was then used as a rubbish dump. Old car bodies, concrete, steel re-enforcing, timber, bottles – you name it and for sure it was in that hole. Years went by and all manner of weeds took up residence, so much so that this soon-to-be ‘God’s little acre’ could claim the World Record for the most cursed weed variety ever seen on a one acre plot.

Nearly five years ago the person who owns the acreage, a true friend of long standing, asked me what I wanted to do. I had just declared myself bankrupt, having lost my family business of some 25 years. Everything of a material and emotional nature was gone. A career of over 45 years in the one industry, which I loved, was over very suddenly and dramatically. I was blessed in finding my way to Jade and Paul Woodhouse’s ‘Simply Natural Organic Farm’ up at Eudlo, on the North Coast – two and a half acres on a North sloping block. Another friend had asked my wife and I on her Garden Club’s bus trip and this place was our first call of the day.

Well, we walked through Jade’s big gate and into a sanctuary, a wonderland. Now, over the centuries people tell stories of a sudden change of life; a total turn-around; a flash of light so intense that you know right there and then that this is what you want to do. In the same instant we were both hit by the flash of light. We turned to each other. This was what we both wanted – to become organic gardeners and to have a garden just like this.

So back to my friend, who asked me that very evening, “What are you going to do with yourself?” “Today I experienced a miracle. I want to become an organic gardener and be able to support myself by growing all sorts of plants, have chooks, the whole bit.” “You can have a paddock of mine. It’s about one acre and its yours to keep. I’ll pay to get it slashed, then it’s all yours to do what you want with it.” I was blown away with my friend’s generosity. What a day this was turning out to be!

The door opened on a whole new lifestyle. Organic gardening lessons with Jade Woodhouse. I suddenly read only books and magazines on organics, after a lifetime of reading all sorts. I devoured books and magazines from two Libraries. I searched second-hand shops. I was obsessed. The only things that interested me were these books and magazines, plus some tapes and videos. I stopped reading newspapers. I only had time for gardening and for reading gardening books.

This last July I planted some thirty-five fruit trees and vines, with the help of my wife, son and daughter-in-law. These latest additions to ‘The Plot’ have all taken well, with the exception of one lime tree. The pawpaws all have fruit on them, the passionfruit vines are loaded and the various citrus are strong and healthy. This month, March, I want to experiment with making a tree paste to put on the young trunks of these new arrivals, plus all my other trees. The idea of the tree paste is that you feed the tree through its bark. It nourishes and protects the bark while feeding the tree (in the same ways our bodies are protected and nourished through what we put on our skin). The practice also helps seal up any cuts or crevices that may be in the tree trunk. You can either paint on this special paste or use rubber gloves to rub it on. Next month I will give you the recipe I have used to make up this tree feeding paste.

Until then, enjoy your garden. Remember – gardening is character building!