Family passion for gardening continues, as sisters follow in Nana's footsteps

Kerikeri sisters Willow (7) and Tahlia (8) de Ridder have won the Northland Budding Young Gardener title, part of the nationwide search for the Yates Budding Young Gardener 2019.

The green-thumbed sisters are fifth generation gardeners, and are following in the footsteps of their mother, Mirielle, and grandmother, Nana Di (Maxwell).

Every weekend they spend time with Nana Di, whose six-acre property features the best part of a rugby field in vegetable gardens and an orchard with more than 70 fruit trees. The garden has recently been expanded to provide food for Nana Di's Kaikohe restaurant, which specialises in serving fresh local food.

"We love helping Nana Di in her garden, and learning to grow all sorts of different vegetables, but our absolute favourite is potatoes," Willow said.

"When it's time to dig them up it's a bit like going on a treasure hunt. And the best bit is that we can wander around the garden eating all the yummy food."

There's not much that isn't grown in their grandmother's vege plot, and the sisters are also learning how to grow by the phases of the moon, a family tradition.

"We are still learning about how the moon affects the growing cycle of plants. Nana also teaches us about respecting Mother Nature, and gardening as naturally as possible," Tahlia said.

Nana Di said the girls were growing up with a genuine love for the garden and growing things.

"They are so passionate about gardening — even more than I was when I was their age, and being taught by my mother and grandfather. It is wonderful to see there is a lifetime of long-lasting joy in the garden for them ahead," she said.