John Patrick Landscape Architects
Tom Remfry has been the gardener at Clendon Road, Toorak, a large garden designed by myself, for the past three years. During this time he has made significant contributions to the garden through his adoption of sustainable, organic practices and professional garden maintenance.
Tom’s knowledge and understanding of sustainable organic practices are highlighted by his adoption of mulch beds, which utilise leaf litter and appropriate prunings, worm farms and his complete phasing out of the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. This has not only resulted in an improvement to the overall ecosystem, shown by an increase in indigenous birdlife, but has also encouraged microclimates, allowing specific plants to flourish.
Clendon Road Garden, Toorak
We lived on the property in Toorak, whilst Tom tended the John Patrick designed garden for a three-year period. I was fortunate enough to have the wonderful experience of living amongst over an acre of organic garden. It became an oasis for native birds over time. As Tom nurtured the soil and created mulch to be reused on the garden beds, it transformed into a space that was irresistible to leave.
The sound of the morning birds was overwhelming, and the surrounding neighbours began to comment and take an interest in Tom’s work. The garden became a visual masterpiece that could be likened to a Monet painting. Our daughter could willingly pick wild, organic strawberries to be eaten safely.
I can personally endorse Tom’s work in organic gardening. He is a rare talent in the garden; his creativity and affinity with nature cannot be underestimated.
Armadale Garden
Tom has regularly worked for me in my garden, and that of the adjoining property, which we own, for about two years. He is reliable, conscientious, well-informed and expert gardener and all the work he has done has been performed to the highest standard. He is the best gardener I have ever had.
In addition to normal garden maintenance, his work has included, plant selection suggestions (in particular to cope with drought-like conditions), re-design and replanting of sections of my garden (very successfully), sourcing of appropriate plant material, landscaping-soft and hard-mulching, soil improvement, and pruning, both routine and more radical where required.
Tom is an interested observant and knowledgeable gardener and plantsman committed to organic principles. He is happy to take initiative in making suggestions for potential horticultural, design and management improvements to the garden. He has an excellent eye for design.
Heritage Garden, Camberwell
We were looking for someone to maintain our garden who really understood and believed in sustainability and organic garden principles and who loved and cherished the garden as much as we did. We have been so impressed with Tom and his team’s knowledge, dedication and passion for our garden.
The soil has been nurtured and improved which has enhanced the plants’ vitality, as well as encouraging an abundance of bees, butterflies, dragonflies and native birds. It has been a pleasure having Tom and the team around and I have appreciated his proactive and collaborative approach.
Alhambra Garden, Armadale
Tom Remfry was employed in a landscaping project on my residential property from November 2010 until May 2011. During that time he conducted himself in an extremely hardworking and conscientious manner. He was at all times reliable, performed all his tasks to a very high standard and approached his work in a professional manner with thoughtfulness, integrity and open communication.