It’s been a while, too long really. I am not sure where the past years have gone. It has been a blur with the world feeling crazier than ever, both at home and abroad. My nervous system struggles to cope some days, keeping busy helps.
2025 has been a mad dash since the start of the year with, an art show running earlier than usual, the house needing significant maintenance attention and painting, firewood sorting, autumn clean up, paths mowed, new tracks cut and paddock plantings beginning.
Parts of the property are really beginning to feel forest like which is so exciting. When beginning this project a few years back, there was no real plan as to the how this might happen – other than planting as much as possible each year. Lots of weed eating, mowing, and digging. It helps to be stubborn thing.
At an art trail a few years back, I met and got talking to an inspiring couple – Joanne and Keith, they are passionate about the environment and planting natives – so much so that they began their own nursery to better facilitate plantings on their own property, and community plantings in Feilding.
Joanne and Keith have also generously helped over the past few years to add hundreds of plants, increasing diversity. I am so grateful and humbled by their ongoing support. Thank you so much.
This year the front paddocks are becoming easier to manage so planting has moved in to four of the back paddocks. This will be a big task, but it is exciting to think of how different it will look in just a few years time – as I write this 135 plants have gone into the ground.
Who knows when the next update will appear – Top priority – many more plants to find homes. Then pruning fruit trees, and much processing of willow into firewood to be done. After that some studio time – with a plan to hunker down a bit over winter.
I hope this update finds you in good health, and enjoying creative pursuits. If you are still actually reading this, thank you,
Warmest regards Sam
Plant Count: easily 1200+ – have lost count at this point
PLANTING A FOREST/LOOKING AFTER A GARDEN
Since moving to Hendersons Line, Marton in June 2017 Sam and Lorraine have planted a huge number of native plants and trees. Eventually they hope to cover most of the site (4 acres) with a diverse mix of plants including plenty of food for the bees and birds, This will be combined with walking tracks and hidden spaces to just sit or stand, listen, catch a breath
