 Growing Gardens
with Julia Hancock
The Gardener's Friend
When I was a horticulturalist in the city I'd say 'If you want a lovely garden, don't have a dog - the two are mutually exclusive'. So when on the eve of our move to the North Coast my partner brought home a dog to join us I was less than pleased and wailed 'what about my flowers?'
It took less than a day for me to fall totally in love with Mindy, urged upon us by friends who were moving to a unit. When we arrived at our new home Mindy, who had never been to the country before, thought she'd died and gone to heaven.
Her favourite activity was the dawn patrol, as we'd all (cat included) troop around the garden in a disorderly fashion, sniffing to see what had visited the garden during the night, admiring a flower bud or chasing butterflies.
As work progressed on the garden, converting what had been a goat paddock into an ornamental Eden, Mindy was there every step of the way. She'd find a spot to flop in the sun, keeping half an eye on her humans; occasionally she'd unearth an old bone and munch contentedly as we toiled.
I knew she loved us because although she hated the rain she'd faithfully accompany us as we mulched and fertilised in wet weather.
As dusk drew in she'd round us up - 'Time to come in now' she'd nudge.
Mindy knew without being told that if she dug in the flowerbed she would be scolded. Not once did she come within cooee of any of my treasures, but faithfully padded alongside as I stooped to deadhead pansies, pluck the odd weed and trim a stray branch.
Sadly our lovely, gentle Mindy was killed last week. We buried her in her favourite spot in the garden. She will be profoundly missed by the surviving pack.
Lismore Garden Club
 Congratulations to the winners of the Spring Garden Competition and all the best in the future competitions for all gardeners. I would suggest as all gardens in the competition are open for public viewing, to obtain good information on what to do in your own garden get around these gardens and have a good look, don't be afraid to ask questions most of these gardeners will supply you with answers and ideas. These gardens have free entry, and the Champion gardens will have entry by gold coin donation. If some of the flowers catch your eye, mention it to the gardeners and I feel sure they will save you some seeds or cuttings or inform you what nursery supplies them.
Happy gardening.
Enquiries Don 6624 3855.
|
