Springing into gardening action

The tranquil, beautifully established garden of Ian and Louise Hill, nurtured and developed through two generations, provided a magnificent backdrop for Greytown Garden Club’s third quarter meeting last Tuesday, September 11.

A combination of many months of dedicated work, the previous weekend’s welcome rain and a wealth of established trees and shrubs collaborated to bring the Springkloof garden into exquisite bloom for the day.

Even the weatherman cooperated by providing a gloriously sunny, warm spring day enjoyed by a large group of members and guests who attended the meeting.

All who attended the meeting took the opportunity, either before or after proceedings, to stroll through the garden exploring its many “rooms” and hidden delights.

Guest speaker Bradley Raath, of Atlantic Fertilisers, shared his depth of knowledge about the trend toward using more earth friendly products in both the vegetable or flower garden as well as in fruit orchards.

His interactive presentation was interspersed by many enthusiastic questions regarding best practice in the use of organic vs chemical products to either feed the soil and/or control a variety of garden pests.

Drawing on his many years of practical experience in both forestry and agriculture, coupled with being a pragmatist, Raath offered many easy and environmentally friendly solutions to many frequently raised gardening questions.

While conscious gardeners, concerned for the survival of garden wildlife, are increasingly avoiding the use of chemicals and toxic potions, Raath explained that some circumstances require the use of a chemical agent to break the cycle of a destructive infestation. As any gardener who has watched Crinum lilies or precious Clivias being decimated by Amaryllis worm empathically understands, the only way to save the plants is to either spray or manually squash the critters.

After the meeting, five lucky members went home with raffled prizes of either bags of pelleted fertilizer donated by Atlantic, a bouquet of magnificent proteas, or attractive stationary donated by Juanita Mason of Bryleigh Proteas. Everyone who attended the meeting was given a sample sachet of Atlantic product.

Members and guests enjoyed a relaxed tea, an array of delicious teatime treats, much socialising and friendship on the expansive lawns of Springkloof.