meet the gardeners
Helena
Why is gardening important to you? It’s my Zen moment – restorative, calming and meditative – and it’s a compulsion. Gardening has been more important in recent years as I’ve been working on a computer for about 10 hours a day.
How long have you been gardening at rented accommodation?
I’ve rented since I left home at 18 and have always gardened. I’m lucky to have been at this property for 10 years.
How do you approach gardening at a rental property?
When I’m looking for a place to live, I look out for a rainwater tank and for gardens with large trees. My current home has a lot of large trees, and I’ve been focusing on understorey planting and maintaining areas of lawn in the shade. There are lots of old shrubs in the garden and many have responded well to pruning, feeding and watering. I’ve invested a lot in this and other gardens, in particular on mulching and planting. I also have garden friends who give me divisions, cuttings and young plants from their gardens. I always try to work with the garden, so if something is growing well, I plant more of it.
How do you approach the landlord?
I tell the landlords that I’m a landscape gardener, and then I start by cleaning, tidying and planting. They realise that
I’m adding value to their property but generally don’t seem to notice the small changes. I get on well with my landlords and they regularly come over for chats. What do you take with you from your garden when you move?
I take my garden tools with me but rarely anything else. I’m planning on taking a potted cardinal creeper with me next time I move. I tend to inherit garden furniture and other items from friends, and I then leave them for the next tenants.
What tips do you have for other gardeners who are renting?
The big secret to rental gardening is to have lots of gardeners as friends, as you’ll receive free plants and cuttings.
Also, walk around the neighbourhood often and see what is growing well in gardens and public spaces. These will be reliable plants for your garden, and often these plants grow readily from cuttings.
Marian
Why is gardening important to you? It’s a way of life. I firmly believe for mental health it’s necessary to engage with the outdoor environment and nature. I love the peaceful ambience. If I’m angry, I weed quickly. If I want inspiration, I calmly nurture the garden. If I’m happy, I harvest produce. There’s a job for every mood.
How long have you been gardening at rented accommodation?
I’ve rented all my adult life. I’ve been renting for four years at my current home, and I’m preparing to move again.
Arno spoke with two very keen gardeners, Marian and Helena, who shared their experiences and thoughts about gardening at rental properties.
How do you approach gardening at a rental property? When inspecting a property, I look for a water tank. I also use the app on my mobile phone to check the aspect, and I think about the sun in different areas during the seasons.
I place larger pots on rollers (a tray with small wheels). This makes it easy for me to move them around and avoids leaving stains on concrete or having salts build up on terracotta tiles.
How do you approach the landlord?
I ask the agent to ask the owners if I can work in the garden. When they agree, I ensure that this is written into the lease, so there’s no misunderstanding or stress. Before leaving, I clean paving and relevel and returf areas where I have removed temporary garden beds. I also apply sugarcane mulch to existing garden beds so the place looks tidy.
What do you take with you when you move?
I have about 100 potted plants of varying sizes. I sell a few plants each time I move, then trial a few more new plants to see how they grow, so I have some variety. I also set up some prefabricated raised garden beds. I place thick cardboard over lawns or concrete, then alternate layers of sugarcane mulch, cow manure and topsoil, until I reach the top.
I grow herbs, vegetables and bedding plants in these beds, and I top them up each year. I also take my tables, chairs and sun umbrella with me so I can sit back, relax and enjoy the garden.