A Mount Saint Thomas couple, Millie Hall and Michael Zubrecky, have transformed their sloped backyard into a self-sufficient garden, producing fruit, vegetables, eggs, and compost. They opened their garden to the public during the Edible Garden Trail, sharing tips on growing food at home.
Ms Hall emphasized the importance of soil preparation, saying, 'The first thing to do when you move to a new spot is to just work on the soil, and as you build the soil, the garden benefits.' Their garden includes 10 chickens that provide five to six eggs daily, eat kitchen scraps, and create compost.
The couple grow produce that supermarkets don't stock, and they find home-grown food fresher, cheaper, and tastier. They avoid sprays and chemicals, using animal waste and compost as fertilizers. Their five-year-old daughter, Sunny, helps with pest control by handpicking ladybugs.
Mr Zubrecky, a pizza maker, uses Jerusalem artichokes from the garden on pizzas at Ciro's Pizza in Thirroul. He encourages others to start small, saying 45 minutes a day of weeding and observing can yield a productive garden over a year.
The Edible Garden Trail, now in its third year, featured 36 gardens from Otford to Shell Cove. Coordinator Emily Fowler said the event allows the community to learn from each other, showcasing different techniques and approaches across the Illawarra.
