SMALL SPACE, big ideas

Gardens, whatever their size, are a luxury in the city. Take Drummoyne, a harbourside peninsula just 6km west of the Sydney CBD. Like its affluent neighbours, Balmain and Rozelle, Drummoyne has undergone gentrification over the years with many of its fine old homes replaced by waterfront apartments and modern townhouses.

Local residents Cate and Carlos Valpiani have always known the value of a garden. They had no intention of filling their 9m×11m backyard with lawn and concrete — every inch is overflowing with foliage and bright, blossoming edibles growing at various levels, from planter boxes and raised beds to hanging pots and green walls. They’ve also made room for three worm farms, two compost bins and a 4000-litre water tank.