Mary Lovell-Smith08:30, May 09 2021 A day not in the garden is a day wasted, Barry Rich and Lyn Atkinson believe. Here s the amazing property they created.
From her garden on the sun-baked limestone terrace of Waipara, North Canterbury, Lyn Atkinson is reflecting on the dreams she and husband Barry Rich had when they began planning and planting the then all-but bare five-hectare lifestyle block 20 years ago. “I actually planted things thinking I would make it profitable and fruitful. So that we could eat and live off it,” she says with a laugh. “I planted swathes of lavender to pick and take to the market. I was full of romantic visions of loading up the car with bundles and heading off at sunrise.”