Thanks.

A big thanks goes to you, for picking up this book and believing in what we do.

Thank you to all the people with whom we’ve had the pleasure of growing food. Thanks for sharing your stories, values and what gardening means to you. Your curiosity, harvests, triumphs (and failures) helped us to define the words and images needed to bring this book to life.

BYRON

Special thanks to Mum for creating a childhood environment (including magical gardens) that set my core values, which are reflected here in this book.

To Dad for showing us how to live sustainably and planting an orchard we’re still picking from today.

To my down-to-earth horticulture teacher, Jeremy Smith, and also to half-plant/half-man Daniel Preston – I’ve learned too much from you both.

To everyone who has worn a pair of Urban Growers overalls at some point and got into the garden next to me, thank you for making my ideas a reality.

To the Three Blue Ducks team and Grant LaBrooy, thank you for letting us grow food at your restaurants and inspiring this journey.

To the Bondi Public School staff, parents and students! Teaching your garden program was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling chapters of my life. Thanks for having me.

To Campbell Smith for your fine craftsmanship, and Curtis Champion for peer review.

To Sara Wilkinson for sharing your time, knowledge and resources on how to create greener cities.

To Doug and Vicky – your passion for bees has worn off on me, thanks for all your help.

And to Jane, it’s a book! Thank you for your guidance in getting this published.

TESS

A special thank you to my parents for giving me every opportunity under the sun and for instilling in me the confidence to make any dream a reality. To Mum for painstakingly reviewing this book with us, and to Dad for inspiring me to get in the kitchen from such a young age.

To my Smack Bang Gang, thank you for giving me the space to create and for supporting me while I tackle a million other projects, like this special one.

To Alex, thank you for your great eye – you’ve captured the essence of Urban Growers since day one.

To Katie and Jane, thank you for trialling my recipes and being so generous with your time.

To Jane, Jacqui, the whole Murdoch team and its collaborators, thanks for bringing our vision to life with ease.

To Biz and Cam, thanks for your backyard delights, generosity and always damn good company.

And to Byron, thank you for introducing me to this way of life. You make the world a better place.