Urban Abundance

A sumptuous permaculture garden in the heart of suburbia is a feast for the eye and the table

- Diane Crawford

Karel Vine and Anne-Louise Dampney share a passion for gardening but come from quite different life perspectives. Karel is an experienced counsellor, registered psychologist and clinical hypnotherapist. She started the garden in 1992 and recalls, “In the beginning there was only clay, weeds and building rubble.”

Anne-Louise has been an enthusiastic gardener since she was a child and has always had a passion for nature, art and design. She has a very practical approach to finding creative solutions to difficult problems and has a keen eye for the unusual, whether it’s quirky plants or unique artworks. With an excellent working knowledge of horticulture, landscaping and garden design, she runs her own business, InsideOut.

Anne-Louise started working in the garden, Krackatinni, in 2005 and the rest, as they say, is history. Together, this clever pair has created something very special.

Krackatinni is a garden of rare appeal. It’s imaginative, productive and brimming with flowers, fruits, veggies, herbs and whimsical artworks. The plants are superbly healthy: green, lush and vital. Karel and Anne-Louise have a clear vision for their garden. As AnneLouise puts it, “Our philosophy is simple: to create a sanctuary for both people and wildlife; to combine beauty with productivity; to encourage a sense of community, sharing food and resources with our neighbours; and, most importantly, to sit back with a beer in hand (hence the name) to enjoy our space and plan the next step.”

QUIRKY AND UNIQUE