May 2026

Four seasons ago, I started to work on the gardens with no real knowledge, but with a curious brain. It is now spring 2026, and as I emerge from the other side of the four seasons of grief, here is what I have found out:

1. The two biggest enemies of the four gardens are the sun and lack of water.

2. I don’t need four gardens.

3. A big part of nurturing the land is successfully re-wilding.

4. I need to rethink the swimming pool.

5. The house is too big for one man and a dog.

A lot to deal with, but I am getting there with the help of family and friends.

***

It became immediately clear during the first summer that I had to create shadow by planting some trees. I have thus planted many fruit trees, and whilst it will take time before they give shadow, it’s a start and in nature you can’t be in a hurry. I have also developed a water conservation structure, and rain from the roof is now filling up the containers. This should give me at least 3,000 extra litres of water for the summer.

I am already down to two gardens and aim to have just one by the fall.

I need to make the swimming pool more of a pond inspired by Roger Deakin’s Walnut Tree Farm.

Last but not least is the house itself. I have created two floors, one for me and my family and one for the guests. It turns out that the Calcinato Farm has many friends. In addition to my daughter Kas and her husband Jonny, who have planted a lot in the garden already, I have our good friend Pleuni coming on a regular basis to help out. My next-door neighbour Santi is a good friend and advisor, and he makes sure I don’t make too many mistakes. I have also had some unexpected visitors from Holland to help out: first, Luuk and Joska, and more recently Sarà en Eljo. Most likely, everyone returns, and for me this is a great use of the house.

It is all moving in a direction my wife approves of.

Onwards and upwards.

Cornelis.