REAL GARDENER Anne's permaculture garden
GROWING OUR OWN FOOD AT HOME GOES HAND IN HAND WITH REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT. SUE LINN VISITS A KATIKATI GARDENER WITH A PASSION FOR PERMACULTURE.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Anne Billing was inspired by a sense of nature’s comeback.“It was exciting that skies cleared in such a short space of time. It gives me hope that we can restore some kind of balance between humans and nature.” The keen gardener and environmentalist is a staunch advocate for growing our own food, both for the sake of our health and to reduce the drivers of climate change.
“The lockdown proved we actually can cut our carbon emissions and see results quickly,” says Anne. “And if we recycle our food scraps at home we are creating a loop that sees nutrients being put back in the soil while reducing methane emissions from landfills.” Anne says growing our own food makes it easier to live without plastics and packaging, and that we can garden without polluting our soil or harming the balance of nature.
When not busy in her garden, Anne is actively involved as a member of the Enviro-Katikati Charitable Trust, Katikati Taiao. A global pandemic was far from their minds when the all-embracing community project was set up three years ago to support and link the region’s many environmental, social and cultural projects. Now with the sudden crisis we all face, a greater sense of community has never seemed more relevant and Katikati Taiao is well placed to respond.
In the days leading up to the Level 4 lockdown, issues around food security and a shortage of seedlings sparked a new KatiKati Taiao initiative. The garden at Te Rereatukahia Marae was the first to receive vege seedlings grown by Anne and her husband Jase. Local business, Kings Seeds donated the seeds. “We are also working collaboratively on a mentoring programme that will help families grow their own food,” says Anne. The long term goal is to increase food resilience in every neighbourhood.
Whether our gardens are large or small, Anne believes we can all make a difference by making the most of the land we have. She is grateful for the
Permaculture design strives for efficient systems that are both productive and conserve energy.