CHRISTMASSY :: Q&A :: Dimity from Reid Tiny Farm

If you follow me on Instagram you might have noticed I’m a big fan of local and small businesses, and this year I have loved getting to know and supporting local small biz even more than ever. Coming up to Christmas I thought it would be a perfect time to introduce you to the people behind some of my faves, and what better way to do that than by sharing some Christmas love?! Just so it’s clear, these posts are not sponsored – these are just fantastic businesses that I genuinely love and want to share =)

First up I’m chatting with Dimity May from Reid Tiny Farm. Dimity grows the most beautiful, healthy, organic seasonal herbs and veggie seedlings right here in Canberra. I had some of her winter veg in and they were so lovely that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her summer veggies – I planted out a bunch of tomato seedlings I bought from her about a month ago and they have grown so much already! We are so looking forward to feasting on fresh tomatoes all summer! Read on below for our chat =)

Hey Dimity! Thanks so much for joining me for a Christmassy chat on my blog today! I’m so happy to have Reid Tiny Farm seedlings in my garden for summer after my winter veg did so beautifully – I feel like they are the most gorgeous, healthy little plants I’ve ever seen! Can you please tell us a bit about Reid Tiny Farm, and what inspired you to start it?  
Thank you! The seedlings are my babies so I’m a proud plant mama hearing that! Reid Tiny Farm started basically by default, an outcome of where I’m at in life. In my dreams I’d be working and learning on an organic farm, but in reality I’m a full-time mama of two little kids in the city. So growing seedlings was a way for me to keep learning on my own, growing in a small space, during Covid with zero time or spare cash and two little people underfoot! And as it turns out, growing seedlings is my favourite part of growing. I just enjoy it so much. 

Is there a particular book that you’d like to find under the Christmas tree this year?
Ahem, yes, I always have a looooooong book wishlist. I’ve been hanging out for a copy of Australian Dreamscapes: The Art of Planting in Gardens Inspired by Nature by Claire Takacs. Santa, please take note.

Do you have a favourite book you like to recommend or give as a gift?
I’ve been gifting The Overstory by Richard Powers and The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben all year. Like a lot of us, I’m consumed by the climate crisis and both these books speak to my soul and get straight to the heart of what matters. This year I also loved The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Her novel, Bel Canto, is one of my all-time faves, I re-read it all the time.

Can you share a favourite Christmas memory?
For our family, Christmas traditions are primarily centred around food – making gingerbread houses, mince pies, fruit cake… All the sweet treats! My parents for the most part are really healthy but things go a bit nuts at Christmas. I remember one year we were at the coast and had no ice cream to go with the plum pudding. Dad was horrified and after a quick trip to the servo, came back and served himself up a massive bowl of plum pudding with brandy butter AND brandy cream, then a Magnum unceremoniously balanced on top! It was so out of character for him, remembering it always makes me laugh. Apparently anything goes at Christmas.

I feel like we are super lucky in the Southern Hemisphere that Christmas falls in summer, right when our gardens are booming. What are you most excited to harvest from your veggie garden this year, and which fresh produce are you looking forward to serving up on the Christmas table?
Honestly I’m pretty hopeless! If it was left to me we’d be eating snags and salad. But the garden is booming and I’ll have potatoes, leeks, beets, garlic and herbs to contribute to roast dinner and the freshest salad greens and tomatoes all summer long. I’m especially hanging out for eggplant and zucchini so I can Ottolenghi up a storm!

Tomatoes are probably everyone’s favourite summer veg for the backyard gardener. Now that people likely have those in, what will you and your boys be raising next?
I’m taking a big break from growing seedlings over summer so next up will be all the autumm goodies – broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, leeks, beets, cabbages. I love growing things in autumn and setting up for a really productive winter garden.

I think more than ever people are looking to shop small and/or local, which I love. Do you have a favourite Canberra/local business you’re shopping with this year that you want to give a shout out to?
I’ve been blown away by how generous people have been with supporting local business. It makes your day to meet lovely new people and just have someone appreciate what you’re doing. I’ll always shout out to my sister Holly from Millie Made Makes, who sews the most beautiful things – clothes, totes, book sleeves, Christmas stockings! She’s amazing. Apparently we’re a family of super small-time entrepreneurs.

What’s next for Reid Tiny Farms, and where can people find you?
Next year I’m keen to trial a form of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for seedlings, where people sign up to get a seasonal seedling box 3 or 4 times a year. I’ll be growing for small group of customers who’ll receive a curated selection of veggie seedlings for each season, all grown locally, organically and with zero waste. If you’re interested, either for yourself or as a Christmas gift, follow @reidtinyfarm on Instagram for more info!

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Huge thank to Dimity for joining me on the blog today – I do love to get a peek behind the scenes! Dimity has actually announced all the details for her CSA boxes today and they sound absolutely brilliant – make sure you visit Reid Tiny Farm on Instagram to check them out!

xo Bron