Hazel Youngman

Lifestyle & Residential Sales Consultant, Total Realty

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I like both! I love meeting vendor’s furry friends when I visit their homes.

 My friends would say I am... loyal, driven, and tenacious, and fun to be around as I always have a smile on my face and a quirky sense of humour.

 The best advice I ever received was?

Treat others how you wish them to treat you - and always look for a lesson in each and every situation.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

An airline so all my family and friends (and clients!) could go on a free trip to the country of their choice.

 Local coffee haunt?

I really like Figaro’s and Raupo - both cafes make the best oat milk triple shot flat whites, and the staff is so friendly and welcoming.

 Favourite takeaway?

Asian food - especially Indian or Mongolian - the aromas and flavours really draw me in, luckily my family like them too.

 The shop you can’t walk past is?

I really like bespoke gift shops, they often have really quirky things and I am always on the hunt for gifts for family, friends and clients.

 What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

The gift of our son - we are incredibly blessed to have him.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

We are so in awe of the Marlborough Sounds, every weekend feels like a holiday when we go exploring. We also love the West Coast for caravanning with family and friends.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching? Yellowstone and all the associated series, I simply cannot resist Kevin Costner.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To be mortgage-free and live the dream - terribly cliché, but very true.

The importance of potassium and magnesium (Fruit + Flower Power): By

Wally Richards

Potassium often referred to as Potash because the ash from wood burn containers a good amount of potassium and magnesium sulphate is often referred to as Epsom Salts are two important elements in gardening.

A long time ago I realised the importance of these two and so I created a product which combined them, in a prill (pellet) form, 55% potassium and 45% magnesium and called it Wallys Fruit and Flower Power which is one of the many uses of these two elements.

Plants are like us, if they do not get sufficient minerals in their diet, they will be adversely affected and do poorly.

Potassium deficiency will show as soft limp plant growth, poor flowering, taste decline in fruit, and general loss of vigor.

I am often asked what is wrong with plants which, don’t seem as good as they could be, even though they are fed well and watered right.

Often the reason is insufficient Potassium.

Then there is fruit, especially citrus which are lacking in juice and flavor.

Tomatoes and cucumbers that don’t have that home grown flavor that one would hope to have.

Plants that have poor flowering or don’t flower at all. Once again the problem can be insufficient Potassium.

Magnesium is involved in chlorophyll production, which converts sunlight into sugars and is involved in activating enzymes.

Because of its role in chlorophyll, the first symptoms of magnesium deficiency show up as yellowing, usually between the veins of the older leaves. In severe deficiencies, the entire leaf will turn yellow or red and then brown, with symptoms progressing up the plant.

There are numerous plants that show this tendency, citrus, daphne, rhododendrons, tomatoes, passion fruit and roses to name a few.

Once the yellowing starts to appear then already the plant is having problems and even when magnesium is supplied, it takes several weeks before the lovely dark green colour is restored.

During this time the plant is weakened, as the chlorophyll is not working to its full potential which makes the plant more susceptible to diseases and pests.

The amount of energy created from sun light is affected and plant growth is reduced.

During drought conditions, plants suffer and one important aspect to assist in this is Potassium. It regulates water absorption and retention, influences the uptake of some nutrients and helps to increase disease resistance.

As the weather cools and winter approaches, plants feel the chill like we do, but plants can’t put on a jersey like we can.

The plants protection from chills and frosts comes from having adequate Potassium in their diet.

Thus us gardening commentators always suggest to gardeners to supply potash to their plants as winter starts to approach and to avoid using nitrogen fertilisers which only increases sappy growth.

Commercial growers of plants and orchardists use the two elements to ensure their plants have sufficient Potassium and magnesium in their diet.

These two vital elements are blended together in the right balance as required for plants.

For the home gardener we supply Fruit and Flower Power in three pack sizes: 1.25kg, and 2.5kg and a bulk bag which is 12.5kg making it the best purchase if you have storage room.

The 1.25kg comes nicely packaged in a stand up pouch with a 50g (50ml) scoop.

It is used at the rate initial rate of 50g (one scoop) per square metre around the base of the plant or around the drip line.

Use for any plant that is flowering, fruiting, showing lack of vigor or yellowing in foliage.

Now this next bit might surprise many but the monthly requirement is 25g (half scoop) per square metre.

This should be applied while plants are flowering, fruiting, during dry times and going into winter. Outside of these times a 2-3 monthly dose should be fine.

For fruiting a dose at 50g should be applied prior to flowering followed by the 25g till harvest. For the likes of tomatoes and cucumbers, apply over fruiting period for best flavor.

I get a lot of complaints that citrus fruit are dry and lack flavor so this will fix the problem.

A number of fertilisers mixes do not contain sufficient potassium, likely because it is a more expensive element which is a pity as it should be at least ample for general gardening use.

Now is a good time to apply Fruit and Flower Power around your gardens and repeat each month with a small sprinkling.

It will help to keep your leaves green and the plants will gain more energy from the sun even considering its shorter day light hours as we head into winter.

It will firm up sappy growth from summer feeding of fertilisers and plant foods.

Also other precautions you should take going into winter include: stAmP collections, coin collections, old toys, post cards etc Cash paid Ph 021 138 8949 wEED mat or old carpet or similar. Phone 0274172154

Protecting your vulnerable plants from frost by using the Spray on Frost Protection; Vaporgard.

Mulches used to overcome dry conditions in summer should be removed from under plants to allow the soil to breathe and dry out quicker during wet periods. This helps prevent root rots and loss of valuable plants.

A spray of Perkfection over plants that could be affected with wet soil is a good help to prevent root damage through wet feet.

Spray vegetables and preferred plants with Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) each week. It helps them grow healthier and faster.

Side dress vegetable plants with a sprinkling of BioPhos.

Brassicas (cabbage etc) that have caterpillars should be sprayed with Wallys Super Neem Tree Oil with Raingard added to prevent the oil washing off with watering or rain.

Reduce the amount of water you are giving container plants indoors and tender plants in glasshouses.

They do not need so much water now and wet feet intensifies the cold and can be fatal.

Any questions any time just phone me or email me with your contact phone number.

With Term two starting next week, the end of Term 1 was an opportunity to reflect on the sporting and academic endeavours of Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ College. Meanwhile, the Superkids Holiday Programme kicked off yesterday at Elim Church. The programme runs for four days in the April, July and October School holidays and is popular with parents and kids alike.

School of Rock 2023 — the combined college’s rehearsals are well underway in preparation for the show from 1 to 5 August 2023. The School of Rock follows the overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Daniel Brunel) who gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work.

CAsuAl on call coach driver for 11.5m bus for private charter work. P Endorsement and previous charter work experience. Would suit semi-retired operator. tel 0226586052

Fou NtAi N pens wanted Conway Stewart & parker style any considered ph 0800559922

CAm ER As wanted film type, any considered phone Ben 0800559922 stAm Ps & Postcards Wanted Single items, albums - estate collections modern & old any considered 0800 559922

C oi N s wa nted 3 pence and 6 pence any considered ph 0800559922

Public Notices

Agm

REAP Marlborough

15 May at 4pm 65 Seymour Street Blenheim

FREE Monarch Butterflies ph 578-1680

DRoPsAw and air compressor both in good condition, water blaster, assorted tools etc. 03 5728538 or 0272667163

N Ew Asian, pretty busty, sexy, friendly, good service. ph Jessie 021-110-7034 wAtC h E s Wanted & Wrist & Pocket Style Going or Not Any Considered. 0800 559922

NZR New Zealand railway items wanted badges, signs uniforms and china any items considered. 0800559922

• Secretarial and basic accounting

• 12 hours per week

Be the face, voice and network hub of the Wesley Centre.

Complete job description available on request by email or collect from 3 Henry Street.

Close of Applications extended to April 21st Ph 03 578 5796 or email wesley.blenheim@xtra.co.nz