It is a myth perpetuated by the Garden Centres that bulbs should be planted early. Research and experience has shown that the bulbs are best when planted when the soil temperature has dropped below 12C. In New Zealand this is at, or just after, Easter. Planting: We recommend that bulbs are planted 20 cm deep … Read More
MAY ALL ABOUT GARDENING With Michael Coulter How’s your autumn ? It’s a funny season …. the end of the growing season. It’s time to think about what we did in the previous twelve months. What worked and what didn’t. Chrysanthemums are looking good this year. It’s not easy to get colour in your gardens … Read More
APRIL ALL ABOUT GARDENING With Michael Coulter It’s been a great month so far. Above average. But so far, we’re 40 sunshine hours behind the average for the year. We haven’t had any extremes of temperatures and no sign of early frosts. Now is a good time to clean up your gardens before the weather … Read More
MARCH ALL ABOUT GARDENING With Michael Coulter ‘Autumn has come a bit early’, said Michael. Rainfall has been above average BUT sunshine hours are about 45 hours below average. Temperatures have been between 18 and 22 degrees. ‘Things have been growing pretty well considering the imposed water restrictions’ ‘Now is harvesting time and time to … Read More
FEBRUARY ALL ABOUT GARDENING With Michael Coulter Michael opened February’s meeting with the introduction of a ‘special’ table and problem board that would be available for those members who often wanted to ask a question but did not feel comfortable speaking in an open forum. They would be able to place their questions on the … Read More
Wellington, Wairarapa & Waikanae – A Tour with a Difference! HOUSE GARDENS & HIGH TEA 6 Day Longer Break 17 – 22 March 2012
All About Gardening, December 2011 with Michael Coulter On checking the rain gauge, it was found that we had 25 mms of rainfall last night. Michael asked whether everybody had seen the cabbage trees this season. It was the most prolific flowering he had ever seen. Maori legend has it that if the cabbage trees … Read More
Although atrocious weather conditions greeted the White Heron tour group in Whataroa, spirits could not be dampened! A quick shuffle of the programme due to river flooding meant we started the tour with the stunning Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers where we were delighted to see the green orchid in flower. By day two the … Read More
With water restrictions in force much of this months talk was again about ways of making hand watering more effective. The use of lengths of nova flow drainage pipes put in the ground near trees and shrubs that can be filled with water on permitted days will direct the water into the root zone of … Read More
There is a small cafe/health food store in Kumeu called The Green Grocer. They make a divine Rhubarb Cake. Ingredients 125g butter 1 ½ cups lightly packed brown sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups plain flour 1 tspn baking soda 1 cup sour cream 2 cups diced rhubarb Streusel Topping ingredients 1/4 cup sugar … Read More