WASHY WATERING

Castrese Cropano, Crows Nest, Sydney 1970–1980

Connie Yeoman from Wairoa says the gardening habits of her dad, Castrese ‘Gus’ Cropano, have a huge influence on the way she and her husband Don grow everything in their garden today.

Connie and Don’s home is surrounded by their large vegetable, fruit, herb and flower garden, from which they harvest loads of produce for their vegetarian dishes and preserves. Noting how they are seldom short of water at their place, Connie shared this little gardening gem about her dad with me.

“We lived in Crows Nest in Sydney when I was a child, and Dad grew our vegetables in his enormous garden out the back of the house. To preserve water over the hotter months and keep his plants watered and pest-free, he hooked up a long hose to our washing machine and sprayed the used, soapy wastewater onto his vegetables. “I can still hear my dad saying, ‘It works like a treat.’

“He grew lots of produce every year and when I think about it now, he was way ahead of his time, saving water and using soapy water to keep chewing and sucking insects at bay.

“I loved wandering in his garden, picking and eating peas, bits of salad and veges as I went. Our place was like a farmers’ market, and everyone who visited us left with armfuls of freshly harvested vegetables and bags of fruit.

“That is how we remember my dear, kind, dad today and I have yet to meet anyone who is as generous as he was, especially with his homegrown produce.”

When I waved goodbye to Connie and Don, I did so over the top of a large paper bag packed with freshly harvested goodies, proving the old saying is true – the apple really does not fall far from the tree.