Water Race Gardens - Ten Years On

How the Moosey Garden has grown! Ten years ago (when we arrived) there were some smaller garden beds around the house - beyond this small oasis of tired country plantings were the sheep paddocks, and the water race.

Beyond the water race there was a wilderness of gorse, broom, and gum trees. We were fresh and green - the garden definitely wasn't!

Some of the Water Race Gardens in Spring 2004

From 1999 (the landmark year that the gum trees were felled) I gradually worked my way along the water's edge, using the bridges as points of entry. I did try and draw some planting scheme plans, but never used them. My style of breaking in new ground (gently, with hand digger and spade) doesn't suit a planned drawing - the sheer size of the intended garden would have put me off even starting!

The Willow Tree Garden in Spring 2004

New Zealand Flaxes to the Fore!

I love the gurgling water race as it cuts a dead straight channel through the back paddock. It's the easiest water feature to work with - New Zealand flaxes are the first obvious choice. Taj-Dog is responsible for routing many of the paths (which I call Dog-paths). One of the major garden areas even goes by the name of the Dog-Path Garden - thanks, Taj-Dog.

The other garden areas over the water race are named in a practical, non-romantic way. If the gardener said she was weeding in the Hen House Garden she'd be easy to find, wouldn't she? Middle Garden is in the middle, though the Willow Tree Garden technically should be called the Sprouting Willow Tree Stump Garden...

If ever I think that I've accomplished little as a gardener in the last ten years, a gentle ramble in the gardens over the water race puts my mind at ease! Pity about the gorse seedlings, though...