Buttenshaw Backyard Farm

Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story

Today we are visiting a magical garden delightfully named Buttenshaw Backyard Farm. This patch of land in Montrose Victoria is only on a ¾ acre block but the space is bursting with fruit and nut trees, raised vegetable beds and an abundance of berries. Some of the produce includes vibrant glass gem corn, rainbow-coloured chillies, pineapple tomatoes and golden beetroot. The gardeners still have full-time corporate jobs, but the land is now so productive, many fans are trying to get their hands on the rare produce that Nat Buttenshaw specialises in, enabling her to launch a successful seed business. The self-taught, talented green thumb is today’s guest. We discuss:

• Nat’s favourite place in her stunning garden.
• She describes some of the crops she is growing and the diverse variety of heirloom fruits and vegetables.
• All this is done on a ¾ acre block and Nat explains how they maximise space through live living mulch.
• The increased incoming orders for Buttenshaw Backyard Farm seeds.
• The reason these mostly rare seed varieties are so important to Australia’s diversity.
• Nat is also an insect lover and why she allows them into the working garden.
• She believes nature needs to work together – if you get a pest and leave them, the beneficial insects will arrive and deal with the problem for you.
• The increase in backyard farms over the last few years and the health benefits.
• The glass gem corn is Nat’s favourite and most rewarding vegetable she produces.
• Heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables vs common varieties found in supermarkets.
• Nat lists the numerous reasons we should all grow our own food.
• How the humble sunflower and Nat’s grandfather sparked her passion for backyard farms.
• The most unexpected thing to happen since starting this project.
• The most common misconception about backyard farms.
• The ultimate dream for the future of Buttenshaw Backyard Farm

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

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