Welcome to the mean streets of Osaka (not really, this feels like the safest place on earth). Everything seemed to be in bloom – I can only imagine what cherry blossom season is like – and most homes and shopfronts have a pile of pot plants out the front. There is a strong connection to nature here, even in super urban cities like Osaka.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Japan. My man and I went to Osaka and Kyoto and in amongst all the shopping and sightseeing we managed to squeeze in a few garden visits.
First cab of the rank is Utsubo Park in Osaka. This garden hosts a rose garden that was originally planted in 2006 for the first World Rose Convention in Asia. There are approximately 160 different species of roses on display. A little man-made creek runs through the area with kids splashing around while parents laze in the sun.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
Westerpark is one of my favourite parks in one of my favourite cities, Amsterdam. I spent an incredibly memorable spring day there with friends Loulou and Jacob back in 2009.
Photos one, two, four & five by Louise Tran, photo three by Jacob Hunt.
While we’re in the city, this Amsterdam restaurant was recently brought to my attention by new work mate and former Dam local Richard.
The greenhouse where De Kas Restaurant is now situated was built in 1928. It was due to be demolished but head chef Gert Jan Hageman bought it from the council (for €1.00) and renovated it into the restaurant and garden it is today. The space is green, sunny and very inviting. In warmer months you can eat amongst the herbs and take tours and workshops in the garden.
Photos by Jet van Fastenhout for De Kas Restaurant.
This past weekend I celebrated my birthday with a four day getaway to a friend’s place in Wollombi. We wiled away most of our days lazing in the sun on the big balcony overlooking the valley. On Saturday I spent the morning visiting some great people down the road at Laguna Earth House (more on that in a moment) and in the evening everyone helped prepare a delicious paella which we ate around the fire pit we cooked it on.
Laguna Earth House is owned by the charming Rosie and Nigel. The main house was self-built with the help of their son using environmentally friendly mud bricks, straw bale and locally sourced timber, and is fitted with solar panels for all their energy needs. The garden is an overflowing bounty of organic fruit, vegetables, herbs and salad leaves. Rosie and Nigel are self taught gardeners and builders and are now keen to share their knowledge through workshops in organic gardening, alternative building techniques and other sustainable practices.
Check out their Facebook page for regular updates and information on upcoming workshops. Next up is ‘Autumn Food Preserving and Fermentation’ on 18 May.
A very warm thank you to Rosie, Nigel and Andy for sharing their home and garden with us.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
I’ve just returned from an incredibly relaxing extra long weekend on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.
The island lies 35 minutes ferry ride from Auckland. We were there to visit my aunt and uncle, who sailed into one of the island’s bays 22 years ago and have remained there ever since. They live in a beautiful cliff top house above an almost private little nudist beach. Their garden has some of the best views and is overflowing with zucchinis, beetroot, pumpkins, spinach, beans, feijoa, tomatoes, tamarillos and lots of herbs.
While in NZ we were also lucky enough to be invited to local girl Lorde’s first show. She is only 16 and is about to take off. Check out one of her tracks below. More here.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
My best mate and a bunch of her friends live in a beautiful old terrace in Redfern. Their house has three meandering levels, and the garden is surrounded by leaf covered brick walls. They’ve only been there less than a year but already it feels so homely.
Thanks to Jane, Maya, Blake, Caitlin and Will for letting me photograph their home.
Growing from seed is pretty rewarding stuff. I’ve grown tomatoes for a long time as they are super easy. I have yet to master the art of saving seeds, but I have a few books on the subject so am hoping to learn. When we were down at the old farm awhile back my ex boyfriend’s mother and I attempted to save some heirloom tomato seeds but we didn’t get the process right. It still looked pretty.
The proper way to save tomato seeds:
The Backyard Farmer has an illustrated guide if you need more info.
My brother and sister in law bought me a bunch of lovely heirloom seeds which I first planted in rich seed raising soil in protected little containers, and then transferred to the ground at the old farm and Nonno’s.
Unfortunately most things I planted at the farm got eaten by bugs and rabbits, but my beans did really well, and I was able to fill my hat to the brim with crunchy green beans.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
I was in the UK and France earlier this year visiting some friends and my little sister who is currently studying in Bordeaux.
I spent a couple of days in Reading (half an hour out of London) with some family and we got to visit one of my favourite gardens, the Harris Garden at the University of Reading where my grandfather was Dean of the Faculty of Science for a period.
The modern botanical garden was established in 1972 and is set on the home paddock of a now demolished Victorian house which in turn was built in the landscape garden created by George, Marquis of Blandford between 1798 and 1810.
The above pictures are film, the rest are just from my phone.
This garden is quintessentially English. Very lush, with paths winding through, crossing over, and gently tapering off. There are structured lawns with hedges, flowering meadows and herb gardens. I found a bunch of wild garlic which we discreetly dug one head up to use for dinner that night. It feels quite magical and makes me nostalgic, I felt like a child again.
Garden plan from Friends of The Harris Garden.
All photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
For the last two years I have been living in a semi-converted warehouse in Sydney.
It’s a big fun space, but has no backyard or balcony. I have been dreaming since moving in that our landlord will put a rooftop terrace above our kitchen where we could grow all sorts of herbs, tomatoes and passionfruit, but I think it will remain just that, a dream.
In the meantime I have been steadily building my indoor plant collection. I definitely have a tendency to go a little overboard at the nurseries.
It’s interesting to see what thrives and what doesn’t. Kentia palms are one of my favourites. All my Kentia palms are from trips to Lord Howe Island where they are native and only allowed to leave the island under strict conditions. They are very hardy, but do have a tendency to get some sort of scale disease if they aren’t taken care of properly. I also have a lot of peace lilies which remain happy even in low light areas of the warehouse. They need very little attention, my problem is usually giving them too much fertiliser which makes the tips of their leaves brown. Succulents also work well, but ferns not so much. I think it gets too dry and hot or cold under the tin roof for them to thrive.
I also have a desk set up under one of the windows where I can get my hands dirty potting pants with my stash of sand, soil and other tools.
Last year my mother took my sister and me to Melbourne for the weekend to see the Vienna: Art & Design exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. It was a powerful showcase of that incredible era of creativity.
While in the city we visited the Royal Botanical Gardens. Despite being the middle of winter, the gardens were in bloom.
My sister and I snapped away at everything.
Photographs by Sophia Kaplan.
The Secret Garden 