MAY 2024

MAY 2024

5 Microns

WITH CASS HOOKE

Who is Cass Hooke?

I’m a gardener, mum of two little ones and a farmer's wife. I like to think I’m creative, I have an admiration for nature and am a lover of fashion. 

You are an incredibly talented gardener.. Tell us where that stemmed from? 

My grandparents were avid gardeners. Not just as an interest but as a lifestyle and out of necessity. Growing their own fruits and vegetables and making preserves to sustain their needs. 

Tell us a little bit about your garden and how you established it in the area you live in?

My garden is relatively new. We began building it in late 2020 after we completed our house build. I’ve slowly expanded and added more garden beds as the years go on. I’ll always continue to do this and I appreciate the constant fluidity of a garden. We live on the Hay plains which has naturally low rainfall. It’s flat and has naturally low vegetation with minimal protection from the elements. We use bore water to supplement the low rainfall. I try to carefully select the plants for my garden to suit these conditions, but I’m also an everyday gardener and always like trialling something new or learning from it. 

What is your go-to look for a day in the garden?

Something comfortable! Usually, active wear pants or joggers. But I always wear woollen blend socks and a warm jumper in winter. I’m not one to garden in denim. I always wear a cap too.

Shop the Looks

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Quick Fire Questions

What are you currently reading I love flicking through gardening books and cookbooks. I’m currently out of routine of reading a novel.

What are you binging on TV? I’m holding out for the new Bridgerton. But recently really enjoyed watching 1883 and 1923. I watch a lot more YouTube, and follow series like Monty Don and AD Open door.

Podcasts? The Ins & Outs Podcast with Pollyanna Wilkinson and Jojo Barr. It covers both gardening and interiors as the hosts are Interior designer and Landscape designers. It always gives a good giggle too as they both have a great sense of humour.

Favourite flowers? Cut flowers I love are Tulips, Hydrangeas and Aster style flowers. Or anything I see on Myvioleta or Bess Paddington Instagram page!

For the garden I love anything whimsical like Japanese
Windflower (which I can’t grow here), Verbena, Nastursiums, Centranthus and Rudebeckia.

What do you never leave the house without? Sadly my phone. Joyfully one of both of my children. Practically a water bottle and fruit for said children who are always automatically starving as soon as the wheels of the car start turning.

Favourite scent? I recently purchased a hand soap from Leif and also tried some of the hand creams also on offer. The scents of these products are incredible. I prefer naturally derived scents when it comes to any perfume, candle or cosmetic product.

Favourite fashion brands? I love Marle, Friends with Frank, Country Road, Viktoria & Woods, COS, Henne and Elka Collective. Pretty much anything Mayfeild store in Geelong stock.

Your first fashion moment? My brothers and I use to love dressing up in cellophane outfits as kids! But probably my year 12 formal dress was a memorable big first purchase that my sister bought for me.

Dream Purchase? This year it’s a pair of good quality knee high
leather boots and a black oversized wool coat. Both items that would last me a lifetime.

Summer or Winter? Summer by the coast and winter on the Hay Plains.

Do you have a superpower?!
Haha definitely not. If I did, it’d hopefully be the ability to heal people. Not just of sickness, but of hate, distrust and greed.

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