Hello! how are you? It’s so good to be here after such a long time. I wanted to create a platform where I could intimately share our stories as we begin this new chapter. At first I started making YouTube videos but quickly found that when Benji and I started a project we both became so focused that I would forget to pull the camera out, was already half way through the project and found it awkward trying to talk to the camera…here I feel I can really open up and share all the details.

When we first acquired the land, in July 2022, we spent over six months driving out to the farm and just talking about the different possibilities. To be honest, there were times when I thought it was going to be too much. Too much time, effort and money. The farm is part of an old apple orchard, all the trees were removed about 40 years ago. The farm was then subdivided and what is left on our patch of land is one tree (a Privet), a dam and a well. We are starting from the very beginning and I now realise what a privilege that is. We plan to regenerate this piece of land by feeding the soil, planting lots of trees and growing as much food as we possibly can for my family, friends and our local community. I am also thinking that I would like to share the space with you, by opening the gates and giving you the opportunity to spend time in the paddock, in the garden or around our kitchen table. A place to connect with our food and each other. The whole premise of A Plot in Common.

The land is a north facing sloping block with views to the distant mountains. We have decided that we would like to build a shed house as our home, facing out to the north. It will be something small, that blends into the landscape and that we can build ourselves. During the end of winter we chose the site for the shed house and had a concrete slab poured. As we started to do further research and finalise our ideas for the shed house we got a bit distracted by the beautiful spring weather and planted some fruit trees and built the foundation for the first part of the veggie garden. This meant that Benji needed to set up an irrigation system which he did by pumping water from the well up to a tank at the top of the property and then gravity feeding it down to the trees and garden. We are so grateful for the well! Having water is such a gift!

With the elevation of the land and the size of the farm we decided to plant trees in and around the garden first to create a sense of privacy and also because this made it easier with water access. I planted various fruit and nut trees and planted out a herb garden, various kinds of berries, edible flowers and some perennial flowers. In the next couple of weeks I am going to plant some green manure in the veggie patch and leave it over summer. This will help feed the soil before I start planting out my autumn crops. Our neighbour has also kindly offered for me to go to their property and collected as much cow poo as I like which I am so grateful for. Who doesn’t love free cow poo!!

So with the foundations of immediate garden area started and the weather warming up, Benji and I then thought it might be a good idea to build a little storage shed. A place to store our tools and equipment whilst building the shed house. We thought that the storage shed could also double up as the garden ‘potting shed’. Whilst finalising the design we worked out if we extended the width of the ‘potting shed’, by 40cm, we could fit a bed in there! So now the ‘potting shed’ has been completely redesigned as a tiny house that we will live in whilst building the shed house and then share with family, friends and guests in the future. Benji’s brother and wife are currently renovating their home and gave us some old weather boards, a couple of beautiful old timber doors and windows which Benji incorporated into the design. Thanks to YouTube, and a 1970’s building book from the op shop, Benji and I have started construction on the ‘potting shed’.

Inspiration and design for the shed house

We are trying our best to get the potting shed to lock up before Christmas and then after Christmas start working on the interior (my favourite bit!). I have been searching salvage yards for old timber floor boards and internals doors. We found an old bread bin at one salvage yard that we think we will use as a sink and few other beautiful pieces. As I said, I really love designing the interior.

So I think I have you all up to date with what we have been doing on our little farm.. one last thing I wanted to share with you are a few little things that I am making… knitting is a current obsession. I have done little bits in the past and have decided to knit a few beanies for a trip to Japan in a few weeks. I made this one….

I am currently working on a bright red one and if I have enough time (I am a very slow knitter) I would like to make a bright yellow one. After I make my way through the beanies I am going to have my first attempt at a cardigan.. any ideas are most welcome! Do you knit? Or like to do another craft? I am just loving the rhythm of knitting it really helps with my busy mind..

I also wanted to share that I made vanilla essence a few weeks ago, well I started the process… it takes up to 6 months (for optimal flavour). Vanilla pods and vodka! So simple.

It really is so good to be here to share what we are doing and connect with you again. I’d love to hear any of your thoughts or ideas in the comments.

Love Tash xxx