Welcome to Helen's Garden

In this article series we’re chatting with Kiwi gardeners, to discover what it is about gardening that brings them the most happiness and satisfaction.

We’ve all heard about the emotional and practical benefits a garden can bring, so we’d like to share some of that good stuff with you. We’ll look at some amazing gardens, listen to great advice, and ask happy gardeners to talk about their pride and joy.

This time we’re visiting Helen Butler.

Helen used to describe herself as a "lazy gardener", but circumstances have changed so much during her gardening journey that now she feels "adaptable gardener" is a better description. Not only does she have a huge garden which is always teaching her something new, Helen turned her love of gardening into a blooming business, while dealing with a chronic illness. It's amazing what she's able to achieve; she's an inspiration to those around her.

Helen's love of gardening stretches back into childhood, with fond memories of her Dad growing roses. The first seeds Helen ever germinated were radishes. As often happens, those wee radishes sparked a passion for gardening: after 35 years every single seed germination still brings her joy. “It really is magic”. These days, her garden is a gym, supermarket and therapist all rolled into one. If she's ever feeling a bit rough, simply being in the garden eases things. “I've always found peace outdoors.”

Helen has a whopping 13 acres under her care, supported by "my awesome husband Scotty and our wee man Jamison (7)". Older daughter Olivia lends a willing hand when she's at home. The roster includes Sterlo the dog, Spirit the mini pony, three cats, and a crew of chickens, pigs and sheep. Her Dad purchased the land as a bare block back in 2001. Helen and Scotty bought it from him and made it their own; building sheds, fences and irrigation. 

Helen's garden is located in North Canterbury, where summers are hot and dry, but winters are cold (frosts can dip as low as -9°C). Drought is pretty common through summer; although there's irrigation throughout the garden, water is sourced from a well, so every drop is precious. High winds are a regular challenge, especially when there's a risk of summer wildfires. 

A large teardrop-shaped garden in the middle of Helen's driveway leads the way to her flower shop: brimming with glorious fresh-picked and dried flowers, gardening books and vases.

Beyond the main entrance is the flower field that's the foundation of Helen’s flower-growing business. The entire property is festooned with trees, including a walnut grove and a line of pine trees. A post and rail fence marks the boundary of the orchard, full of cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums. These trees are a delight to the eyes when they're in blossom, then to the tastebuds a little later on!

The house is surrounded by roses and perennials, the flowers sharing space with the fort, sandpit, swing and trampoline. There's also a shade house, tunnel house, a netted garden and a greenhouse that's mostly dedicated to growing food. 

Helen’s happy place is her 'She Shed', where she does all her serious creating. The Shed can get a bit out of control, but that’s OK, it’s not on display! In front is a paved area under a pergola. A large table, string of lights and outdoor fire make the area a favourite entertaining spot.

With more land than most gardeners, Helen has the luxury of a utility paddock with a huge compost area, where her pigs and chickens live. The paddock often gets cut and baled, just for use as mulch and compost.

This is a garden that's been evolving for 20 years, to have a surprise around every corner. Helen's design goal is "rustic Bohemian wonderland". She says: “I'm not aiming for perfect, just productive.”

Q&A with Helen

What's your favourite thing to grow in the garden?

“I think this is possibly the hardest question for me, I love scented flowers and old-fashioned things like sweet peas, granny's bonnets and jasmine...but picking fresh strawberries and raspberries just can’t be beat.”

What are you most proud of?

“My own resilience.” And rightly so! Managing such a large property and a flower business, despite being diagnosed with MS four years ago, is certainly something to be proud of.

What do you struggle with?

“Irrigation is one thing. I have a lot to learn, but we’re getting there.”

“We don’t consider weeds too much of a problem - they're next season’s compost! We still don't make enough compost, but it’s the hope that we will someday.”

What's your favourite Yates product that you love to use, or swear by?

“To keep pests at bay, a healthy garden is the way to go. Seaweed based products such as Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food that look after the soil and feed the plants are my go-to.”

What's your ‘secret’ gardening tip to get the best out of your garden?

“My garden tip is that it all starts with the soil. I'm a big fan of 'No Dig', so the micro-organisms build soil and feed the plants, and every garden bed is teeming with life and big fat earthworms.”

“My best tools are my eyes and the ability to really take Mother Nature’s lead.”

What advice would you give someone starting out?

“If you're struggling to germinate seed, the most common road to failure is planting too deep. Some seeds need a period of cool before sowing. But what I do know; is that if you leave a seed head on something, it will absolutely drop seed and germinate at the right time.”

What inspired you to turn your garden into a business?

I run Beyond the Bloom, which started out as a wholesale flower growing business, but has evolved into a 'pick your own' flower field. It's really safeguarded the fun and my love for what I do, after my MS diagnosis. We grow bearded iris, lilies of all kinds, zinnias, gypsophila, dahlias, chrysanthemums, cornflowers and ixias, and so much more!

I welcome any and all creative work that comes my way, from bouquets to event flowers. I especially love working with DIY brides, some of whom come to me a couple of years out with their colour themes, so I can plant to accommodate them. We have a cute wee shop where I sell dried flowers, vases, wreaths and so on, which also works well as a pickup zone for orders.

What are your growing / business challenges?

Revenue can be a challenge, but that would be the same for most small businesses, especially if they're seasonal. Getting my business noticed is an ongoing pursuit.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to turn their garden into a business?

• Start small
• Find yourself a niche point of difference
• Keep going, every small step is a step forward!

Helen’s top tips for November

• Keep sowing seeds, to ensure a continuous supply of plants throughout the season.

• Control the weeds around your garden, especially in paths and driveways.

• Spend time preparing the soil, so it's ready to fill the garden with plants.

• Make sure all your climbing plants have good structures in place, for when they need support.