Welcome to my blog. Follow me as I create my Mediterranean garden in Tasman, NZ.

 

 

 

My place is in the stunning Tasman Bays region, NZ.  I have incredible plans and passion to create this property into something very spectacular.

I came across this block of land for sale in June 2012. It seemed to come to me as was not directly looking for something to buy at the time.

When I saw it, it just felt completely was to be mine somehow. Not long after I had an agreed contract after negotiations and possession date was 7th Sept 2012.

Its 3 acres which is around 12,400 sq metres. Its in a triangular shape with 100m across the top and about 170 metres to the bottom which borders a small pond. There must be around 300-400 native tree plantings in there too which was part of requirement to be done by developer before it was sold. There is an array of bird/ animal /insect life including hares that have seemed to have taken a liking to eating the palms I have put in.

 There was lots of gorse on the property when I first purchased so even though seeing the vision early on and most contours of the land, once a large area of it was sprayed and cut late Dec 2012/- March 2013 , the new even better vision became apparent and also surprisingly a great little find of a spring perfectly located just above a very suitable flat area for the future vege garden/ orchard.

Here's a link to the general area but not my specific property https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Harley+Rd,+Tasman/

The nelson bays climate is one of the best and sunniest in New Zealand with some of the most stunning beaches basically on your doorstep. I use to come up here it seemed nearly every year as a kid at Christmas to the Nelson region and have those memories of the beach, and things like roller skating on the outside rink at Tahuna beach in Nelson at Christmas time in the warm summer days/nights.

Where my property is, is only about 25-30 minutes to the Nelson city and has one of these amazing panoramic views. The best thing is that warmer and settled weather and sunshine. And for me a great balance of a country living but not far away from needed pace of a city shops, etc.

The plan in time is to have a very open plan Kiwi beach style house but with Spanish/European influence which looks out to the view down to the ocean. Part of the vision is for a house designed to have a very much inside/ outside open planned living flow with courtyard and lots of outside living- BBQ’s and pizza oven, etc. English formality on  a garden area will also be expressed somewhere.

Since buying I have put in as many plants as possible and mostly from hundreds of cuttings grown back in Christchuch that in time brought up to plant. Many a mixture of lavenders and Spanish cacti, succulents, etc mixed in with varietys of other plants that will grow big and bold with a long seasons of colour.  

Olive trees have been planted and had to be ordered a year in advance with demand on them elsewhere and were planted out 5x5 metres apart with mixed in 20% of another variety to aid in pollination. Ended up with a total of 64 trees of which about 40 on the upper level of the property and some 24 below. 

My very much loved dog, Teddi, my happy go lucky Old English sheep dog, got to see my property. He was just a couple weeks short of an amazing 15 years old when I had to let him go. All the amazing walks and adventures for nearly 15 years we had and his hind leg muscles finally could not work anymore. His mind fine to the end. His smile and grin to the end. A very sad time but I know he has made so many people happy in his life. I sprinkled his ashes over the property in 2014 after letting him go on 12 July 2013. He will always be here on this property or where I am and still helping me I know or just as he did so much..watching me working on my dream property. 

For some reason I have always loved the smell of macrocarpa hedges and another reminder of living close to them at an early age. Also so much influence from seeing courtyards, etc design in Europe done in some way with hedges I knew it was going to happen somewhere on my property. My section partially borders on top of a ridge line that runs about 100 metres across and that is where I have planted  a line of them 1 metre apart. Even in relatively heavy clay soil they seem to have taken and growing generally well. On the very top of the section there are truly spectacular 360 degree views to die for where you can see all the mountains in the distance to the flowing hills and stretched out across the Tasman bay region and ocean around. Ships and sailing yachts can be seen often as they cross the bays to head out or across to the Abel Tasman national park. I have planted out these hedge trees in 2013 in Autumn. The plan is to create a dense hedge so is private and has that enclosure feeling but with and entrance gate/ driveway that goes wow from when you enter through the hedge and see the view. 

Abit of history. I was born kinda in the country in a place called Lincoln on the outskirts of Christchurch. Until I was about 5 years old I lived in a town called Springton and even though I have vague memories of being there, I do have a slight recollection of glasshouses, outdoors and country feel. My dad use to grow tomatoes for a while commercially on the bit of land he had.

We moved to Governors bay when I was about 5 and I still have a certificate for winning a vege garden competition when I was 9.  My granddad even though did not know him much use to have applefield orchards in the Mahana region in the Tasman bays not too far away from where I have bought. He was even given an OBE for his work in the fruit growing industry in NZ. I have always seemed to have abit of a green thumb linking me to the land, space and garden even though I also relish on the likes of big cities of London and Europe travel which is another passion.

 

 

You will see on the blog a gate and posts of the entrance I got made. I wanted something bold but fitting into the place.Simplicity of the basic gate seems to fit well with keeping basic to nature and life in general. The bold posts which were power poles signifies foundation and grounding. 

My vision in time is to possibly have a tourism based business whether online or /and more when I move to Tasman from Christchurch and also to enjoy many a weeks in traveling to Europe and other places over a winter month or more in the future-ideally every year or every 2nd year. I am working towards selling my property in Christchurch towards building up there soon as the right time allows..
I absolutely love tourism and so like to show people our amazing stunning country and help them enjoy the kiwi life in a relaxed fun, adventure sporty way. I have continued in the tourism industry working for sometime as provides a great and genuine outlet of expression.

The soil generally on the property seems good with so many plants in and surviving fine.

My plan have been for the first couple of years to put in as much as possible colour and see what grows and what doesn’t and go from there. See what nature does.

I have a vision of what it will be in the next 5 and years ahead. When you see it at this time, this will be a very similar picture as what I see in my minds eye now.. The vision is very clear.

 Since buying I have found out that as part of the National cycle trail being built, that this local and tourism trail will go very close past my place and can see the cyclists easily across the valley cycling up or down now. Another passion of mine is cycling so mixed that in with a tourism business could work well if allows. Anyone for orange juice fresh from the orchard.:)

 

http://www.nzcycletrail.com/tasmans-great-taste-trail

 

I have great neighbours around that in time have now seemed to met most. Everyone learning on their land and many ways helping, sharing information or time. 

My plan with the olives I have planted is in different parts- mainly the European-Mediterranean look of the trees. I also want it for the oils and also the possibility of a boutique olive label in time for fun.

 I am planning for a small vineyard below the building platform of my property. I expect an area of about 90 metres by 30 metres . Enough to keep me busy but a long term plan. Not sure how will develop, lots to learn but the vision is there.  Since buying the property I have also done several great weekend short practical courses on pruning, permaculture, soil science, etc..

In time I would like to live off the land a lot more with more tasty and home grown food and to the seasons, learn heaps more and more and work with nature as much as possible.

3 acres of land (12,400metres) I think is very manageable and the way I am planning it out and dividing into sections is the way to do it so I have time to do other things I enjoy outside my property. I have lots of possible ideas in the future including possibly having some sheep or goats in certain future fenced areas of the property for maintenance. Lots of ideas and vision.

Its all about feeling what you think you need to be doing in life for yourself and finding a passion. There is no comparison, its just going for what your own passion is or your feeling and going for that vision you see. Thanks for sharing the passion with me by reading this.

 Chase your dreams, 

Chris

This is on the doorstep to my place. One of my favorite places in the world.. The Abel Tasman National park.

Heres a link to tourism things in the Nelson/Tasman bays area http://www.nelsonnz.com/