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GARDENING Foxton Style! Garden advice from Simon Broad With the warmer weather comes my second most favourite time of the planting calender year, after spring. The days are longer, and the soil is good to work with. A lot of you will do some traveling at some stage of your life, either overseas or around New Zealand. My idea of traveling is to hop on my mobility scooter to roam the streets of Foxton looking at other people’s gardens, and getting a cutting or three. I have heard that some people treat travel as a kind of therapy. I would rather be out in my gardens, but everyone to their own, as long as it works for you. Why not incorporate your travels and go around your town or city looking at gardens? If you find one of particular interest, call in and ask the occupants if you can have a guided tour. Most gardeners would be more than happy to show you around their own piece of paradise. I have had people, mainly from out of town holidaying at Foxton Beach, ring me or call in and ask if they can have a look around my ‘ranch’, and I am always happy to oblige. Then they generally buy some plants for their own Bach at the Beach. A win/win situation.
14 FamilyCARE
PLAN FOR THE SEASONS
When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Fruit, hot weather, and longer days, and salads? It is a very busy time of year for me, planting and weeding wise. By using my glasshouse my workload has increased significantly. But without my gardening I would just lounge around inside feeling sorry for myself. It’s not in my DNA to be idle for a long period. I’ve seen too many people with a moaning outlook on life, forever using the ‘can’t’ word. We didn’t ask to be disabled or elderly,
ONE OF THE MANY JOYS OF GARDENING IS BEING ABLE TO PICK WHATEVER IS IN SEASON FOR THAT NIGHT’S DINNER, KNOWING IT’S SPRAY FREE AND FRESHLY GROWN BY YOU. IT’S A FEELING THAT ONLY A GARDENER CAN APPRECIATE.
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