Photo 16-03-2026, 6 17 48 PM.jpg

A brand new garden, currently in development. We have the aim to open by appointment in Spring 2027.
Takamatua Valley, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula

SPINDRIFT 

Our Story

Purchased in April 2024, this 915 m2 section with borrowed valley and sea views has inspired us toward a total re-working and re-planting.

It is our goal to be open by appointment by Spring 2027 and also create a studio/store/workshop space where we can share more of what we make.

You can follow our progress on @studiohomegardening and explore more of my garden writing featuring helpful plant profiles and garden visits from NZ, Aus and around the world on my blog Unearthed. Not recently updated, but FULL of inspiration and information xo

Explore Unearthed
A rural road leading towards green hills with a mountain range in the background, under a partly cloudy sky with the sun shining.

A work in progress…

In April 2026 we will have lived at our property in Takamatua Valley for just two years. It’s about 915 sqm with a north facing, bach-style home raised on stilts to enjoy beautiful rural valley views and a peek out to Akaroa Harbour.
Once an orchard, it has fertile, clay-based soil on a relatively gentle slope, but enough to make it pretty fast when we have a rain event! Banks Peninsula has microclimates in its valleys, so we are relatively frost-free which is great!

Our plan does involve resilient planting that can withstand periods of dry. With that said, areas of the garden have pipes that spread grey water from our septic system, so we can take liberties in those spaces.

We have the most time to make impactful developments toward our vision during the quieter winter months. We are nearing another big push of hard scaping and further planting. The plan is to please ourselves with maximum variety, casual seasonal planting and a space that reflects its ‘near the sea but up the valley’ location.

Below you can see some areas of the garden still underway, as well as the lovely environment we are setting up in.

Landscape of rolling green hills surrounding a blue lake with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A sunny backyard garden with a dirt path, tall green trees, flowering bushes, and a small greenhouse in the background.
Scenic view of green rolling hills with some clouds and trees in autumn colors, with rooftops in the foreground.
A backyard garden with a variety of plants, a tall palm tree, a wooden deck, and a view of green hills in the background.
A garden with a variety of plants and flowers, including a tall palm tree and other leafy bushes, with sunlight coming through the trees on a partly cloudy day.
Three people are installing a corrugated metal roof on a small garden shed in a backyard with trees, grass, and a clear blue sky.
Landscape scene with mountains, trees, lake, and a clear sky with the moon visible in the distance.
A backyard garden featuring a small vegetable bed bordered by twisted branches, a greenhouse, and various potted plants, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.