MAKING GOOD BETTER

THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN

- Hannah Moloney

WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG FARM TO MANAGE, THERE’S USUALLY NOT MUCH ENERGY TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. A SMALLER PROPERTY MEANS WE CAN DO A RANGE OF THINGS BEYOND OUR FENCE LINE AS WELL.

Over 10 years I lived in about 25 share houses, so when we landed in our home as owners in early 2013 we were more than ready to get stuck into it. After almost four years (and one baby) in our home with no driveway access, we managed to purchase the neighbouring weed block and extend their driveway up to our place. At which point we really accelerated our garden dreams with extensive orchards, vegie garden, chooks, bees, ducks and our much-loved pair of milking goats.

We also built a top-notch shed and garden office and renovated beneath our house to create a gorgeous tiny house for friends to live in.

People were surprised we chose to live in a city instead of setting up a country farm. Surely, we wanted a big farm to permaculture-fy?

No, not us — having lived in both rural and urban areas (and loving both) we made the call to live in a city for a few reasons: not wanting to be dependent on a car to get around, being able to live near our community and wanting to have time and energy for community resilience projects off our property.

When you have a big farm to manage, there’s usually not much energy to do anything else. A smaller property means we can do a range of things beyond our fence line as well.

Also, as I grew up on a cranking urban farm-like property in inner Meanjin/Brisbane, I knew that small properties can do most things if you manage them well. We wanted to help inspire others to realise this and revitalise urban life.