CHILD’S PLAY

FOR MARKET GARDENER LIZZIE BUSCAINO’S CHILDREN, GROWING VEGETABLES IS A WAY OF LIFE, AND SHE BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE FOR ALL KIDS.

FOR EIGHT-YEAR-OLD LUKAS Buscaino and his sister Georgia, five, growing fresh vegetables — and lots of them — is the norm at their home in Thirlmere, NSW. Their parents, Lizzie and Gianluigi, own Piccolo Farm, a two-hectare market garden where they grow organic vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. “Our kids are involved in gardening, cooking and baking at home but even more so during this time,” explains Lizzie.

When she says “during this time” she is of course referring to home schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The change of having the kids at home rather than in school has made a big difference. They have definitely been more involved in garden activities,” she explains. “We like our kids to be independent so we’ll let them sort themselves out for some meals and they are both keen cooks. Lukas has his own garden beds he tends to. Georgia prefers to help me out in the market garden and she does a great job at it.”

Growing your own food fosters independence, which is why Lizzie believes encouraging all children, regardless of where they live and how old they are, to garden is important. Entering the Country Style Harvest Table competition is a great way to pique their interest. She also suggests — room permitting — giving children their own plot. “Lukas’ garden has a pizza focus and he wants to grow herbs, which he can place on top of pizzas. His garden bed, which he just cleared and revamped for the winter, includes lots of cauliflower, oregano, leeks, parsley, thyme and rainbow chard,” Lizzie says. They are also enjoying a bumper crop of beetroots at the moment.

While the vegie patch may not be at its best in winter there are still crops that can be grown and jobs to do, says Lizzie. “They’re helping to clear light crops such as lettuce and feed it to the chickens. Georgia is a champ when it comes to transplanting, in particular leeks. They are keen harvesters and help clean the vegetables afterwards.” A productive way indeed to pass the time between home school lessons. For more information about Piccolo Farm, telephone 0422 341 590 or visit piccolofarm.com.au

“Our kids are involved in gardening, cooking and baking at home...”

Lizzie and Gianluigi Buscaino with their children Georgia and Lukas, and short-haired collie Jimmy. FACING PAGE At Piccolo Farm the couple have a two-hectare market garden where they grow organic vegetables and herbs. During the pandemic the demand for their vegie boxes doubled. See page 100 for more information.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT The family in the garden; Georgia with beetroots just pulled up from the earth; mother and daughter picking edible flowers; at Piccolo Farm they grow several varieties of beetroots, including yellow and target; Lukas and Jimmy; Georgia helping in the garden; the neat rows of produce. FACING PAGE Georgia off to check out the fennel flowers.

There are 72 market garden beds at Piccolo Farm near Thirlmere in NSW. FACING PAGE Georgia with different types of beetroots. Lizzie confesses that her kids don’t really like beetroots, with the exception of beetroot hummus (see recipe on page 89). “You can chop up many other winter vegies and dip into it,” explains Lizzie.