Kokedama Workshop

Kokedama Workshop and a Xmas brunch at Becks's House

December 11th 2014

Fresh from her successful display at the Garden and Art Festival we were excited to be meeting Coraleigh  from Pickled Whimsy  and learning how to make our own Kokedama.    http://pickledwhimsy.bigcartel.com/

Coraleigh explained that Kokedamas originated thousands of years ago as a form of Bonsai that was grown in a round pot until completely 'root bound' then the pot would be broken with the root ball intact and the plant could be hung and maintained like this.  The full process would take many years.

Unlike Bonsais you can make a small Kokedama in a few minutes and it is a very enjoyable process.  You can use many different plants and there were hundreds of different specimens hanging in Coraleigh's workshop to prove this.  A small Fejoa tree looked festive with it gorgeous red flowers.  Some of the Kokedama had been cultivated with moss on the outside which offered a different look.  Most were hanging from the roof of  workshop as this is the most common way to display them. We used a succulent to make our own Kokedama, as they require less maintenance than most other plants.  

We each took a large handful of Sphagnum Moss patting it on a table to form a flat pancake shape, then we added a handful of potting mix and lastly our plant on the top.  Next we scrunched the sphagnum moss into a rough spherical shape with the plant just poking out. Taking a piece of twine we bound the sphagnum ball, looping in a random pattern to create a firm ball.  A few minutes later we had all completed our Kokedamas and were very proud of our efforts.

To water our Kokedamas we were advised to submerge them in a tub of water until they no longer floated, with the option of adding liquid fertiliser to the water.  Coraleigh explained that the water and nutritional needs of a Kokedama were slightly less than a potted plant but more than a regular garden plant.  

We also met Coraleigh's Dad David, who explained his latest garden project, the creation of a permaculture food forest.  The aim of the food forest is for it to become self-sustaining, not requiring any fertiliser and very little weed control.  It involves careful planning of a five layer forest.  You draw out a grid with each intended tree's mature size mapped, so that their canopies will be touching when they are fully mature.  Nitrogen fixing trees and plants are added to the forest to bring nitrogen back into the soil.  It requires patience as it will be 5-6 years until the trees begin to reach their planned height.  The aim is to have something fruiting almost all of the year so this is carefully factored into the plan.  It would be interesting to return to the food forest in a few years to check its progress.

Our next stop was a Becks's lovely new home and large garden, for a delicious Xmas brunch. Her garden is in the planning stage, but with the hard landscaping completed.  There are endless possibilities for different plantings and we will watch with great excitement. Thank you Becks for an excellent G3 adventure!

Paula

Art Month

4th September 2014

September was art month and we spent a great morning visiting 4 galleries in Tauranga. The art scene in the region is booming with a number of new spaces opening in recent years. 

We started at The Incubator based in the Historic Village. Housed in a large barn the community gallery comprises an exhibition space, artist studios and a communal area for gathering. With a vision to grow art and culture in the City and offer a platform for anyone with a great creative idea, they offer talks, exhibitions, workshops and so on. The exhibition on show was Invasion of the Poms and we met one of the two exhibiting artists – Angela Croft. Angela had produced a suite of digital woodcuts of the historic buildings at the village. Each bordered by arts and craft style drawing, the detailed prints were exquisite. We then took in a tour of the studios appreciating the sense of community that the gallery offers artists. 

Next stop was Zeus Gallery 106 11th avenue Tauranga which was opened two years ago by Elliot Mason. Elliot is the grandson of the original owners that set up the space 60 years ago - Harrison’s Gallery. Elliot presents a programme of Tauranga and Hamilton artists. On show was a selection of work by years 10 to 13 from Tauranga Girls College – very affordable. Elliot also had some of his established artists on show including Laurie Steer, whose work was recently purchased by Te Papa. Elliot himself is a painter and lover of our beautiful estuaries. His work often incorporates birdlife and water forms. In the same building as Zeus Gallery was Flux – where we enjoyed a cheeky coffee and browse of the gorg home wares.

Gallery 59 on Ninth Ave had on show a number of painted abstract works, particular favourites were large unframed canvases by Rotorua artist Kristian Lomath. Inspired by nature and social networks the paintings wove colour and movement into rich contemplative works. Gallery59 also offers framing and life drawing classes.

We finished up at the Tauranga Art Gallery on Wharf Street where the biennial Miles Art Award was on. Funded by the estate of deceased Tauranga artist Venetta Miles, the exhibition was a real showcase of artist talent in the Bay.  Presenting painting, moving image, pottery, sculpture, contemporary weaving and photography  - a diverse range of practices were on show. The winning work by Lea-Anne Sheather Tipping Point explored environmental concerns with exquisitely drawn creatures and bright pops of painted pink exploding on the paper. The gallery offers a great holiday art programme. Sonya also encouraged everyone to become a friend of the gallery and help support the acquisition of new works. Plus receive benefits such as invitations to openings, exclusive talks and studio visits and trips to other galleries.

We all finished the day inspired by the creativity in the Bay. Now how to translate this into gardens…?

Sonya

The WEED Lady

Megs House

Tauranga

24 July 2014

Onion weed, cleavers, Red clover, stinging nettle, herb Robert, chickweed, kale smoothie for anyone? 

Sound appealing? Add avocado for saturated fats to help absorb vitamins, add water then some cardamom, pumpkin and chia seeds. Lastly add some fruit for sweetness. Blend well and you get an amazing green coloured smoothie which tasted, as Paula put it, “grassy”

We were at Meg’s place to learn about edible weeds from Julia Sich, “a woman wild about weeds”

It was fascinating; Julia had a wealth of knowledge and plenty of enthusiasm for plants that most of us just want to get rid of. Did you know that Cleavers contain silica which is a lymphatic cleanser and stinging nettle contains magnesium? Herb Robert otherwise known as geranium Robertianum is being considered for cancer treatment and Red clover is good at balancing hormones in women.

Nasturtium leaves have a gold edging which is said to be protective and Veronica Persica or speedwell is named after a young girl who wiped the face of Jesus Christ. This plant has remarkable medicinal powers.

I am sure that we will all look at the weeds in our garden differently now, I have been nibbling on my violets and dandelions when I go to hang out the washing.

For those that want to know more, Julia has put together a book called Julia’s guide to edible weeds and wild green smoothies. It is full of clear photos, descriptions and lists nutritional qualities for about 40 edible weeds as well as a section of green smoothies.

She also recommended a website called plants for our future.

This was then followed by a sumptuous midwinter xmas lunch. Thanks Meg for a most enjoyable morning.

Vicki

Flower Arranging at Vicki's

TePuke
26 June 2014

Vicki organized a fun morning with Murray who owns the TePuke Florists. He first explained some good basic flower keeping tips. If you cut the flower stem on an angle it allows for better water absorption. Change the water ever two days and cut the ends of the flowers each time. Also add two drops of Janola to the water. You do the same cut with woody cuttings but also cut up the stem to split it slightly up the centre, again to help it soak up more water. Murray had a great tip on how to revive roses or hydrangeas when there heads droop. Cut the stems on an angle then sit the stems in hot water, if you do this in a glass jar you can watch the air bubbles come out the stem, as when the bubbles stop you pop it in luke warm water and hay presto the flower heads will pop up! This does not work on all flowers by the way.

When picking roses Murray takes a bucket of water with him, cuts the flowers then cuts the stem again under water in the bucket, so no air can get up the stem. Always pick early in the morning or evening, as that is when the sap is at its lowest.

We then got into some flower arranging. Murray started by make a bed of magnolia foliage in his hand in a spiral format. He said sometimes he uses hydrangea foliage too as they are both large leafed. Paula asked about using camellia foliage and he said he didn't use it often as it has small leaves and sat quite flat. He then proceeded to pop in willow sticks to give it height and interest and then added the flowers, keeping them nice and high so you could see them clearly. And just like that he had a lovely arrangement in his hand, he made it look so easy. Murray demonstrated how just adding some ferns around the bottom changed the look again. Tie it off with some string, trim the bottoms and pop it in a vase.

Another arrangement Murray did was to get a handful of birch branches, twist it around itself  and use that as a base, proceed to add foliage and flowers.

Murray also touched on making high arrangements. By splitting a branch and pushing it down onto the rim of the vase then continue adding more branches for height. Once you get the main structure stable by join branches with wire, you can then start adding flowers placing the heads into the spaces created by the structure.

We also got Murray to have a look at an arrangement Vicki had done just to give us a few tips on other ways to look at arranging it.

Fold flax and staple it to form a loop

Flower arranging tips:
Stick to 2 - 3 at the most flower varieties.
Greenery base, magnolia or hydrangea foliage is good, keep it low.
Add height and interest with flax or willow branches.
You need visual space in an arrangement.
The arrangement should be about 2 times bigger then the vase you use.
And most importantly less is best.


Thanks Murray is was very inspiring and hugely informative. Let the flower arranging commence!







Some of us then had a look at the new landscaping Vicki and James have done. Last time we came to Vicki's was in 2012, my how things have changed. It looks fantastic, well done guys.

This is the front of the house in 2012 before the new outdoor fire area went in.

Left is the vege patch in 2012, now look at it - wow

Had to add this pic as this is a 'watch this space'

Thanks
Donna

Te Puna Quarry

Te Puna Quarry

29th May 2014

In 1993 the Te Puna Quarry Park Society was formed to investigate turning a disused quarry into a useable public garden. Currently a committee of ten oversees the 330 plus member society and many organisations that assist them.  Amongst these are a dedicated group of gardeners who meet Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons to weed, plant and maintain this large and diverse garden.  

There are many different garden sections to the Quarry with some contributed to and managed  by local gardening clubs and societies. Our first stop was the herb garden where we admired a large Bay tree and some very hungry caterpillars on a swan plant.

Next we circled  the pond garden and enjoyed the Manuka trees with their delicate white flowers in comparison to their tortured trunks and peeling bark.  

We began the fairly strenuous climb through the Palm Garden and South African plants, stopping to look at a Bangalow Palm grove with profuse berries/seeds and then a Bird Of Paradise with a single perfect bloom.

Nearly at the high point we looked at tall Native Tree ferns commenting how they suited this spot but would overwhelm a normal sized garden.

We began a quite steep descent (hoping the very pregnant Bec would not lose her footing)  down the Lion Steps and past the Bonsai Garden which was not looking very inspiring. We stopped to admire a very unusual bright yellow bamboo specimen.

Next we encountered a bank of Bromeliads; a huge variety of colours and sizes. The Bromeliad Society should be commended. Also in this area were the orchid beds, but due to the timing of our visit we only saw a few (very pretty) specimens.

Along the path we stopped to look up at a variety of succulents, Agaves, Aloes and Cacti planted naturalistically in the volcanic rock flows with some specimens throwing out large bright flower spikes. 

Back at our cars we examined and discussed the various cuttings and plants that we had brought along to swap. We contemplated further exploring but coffee was calling us so we adjourned to Nourish for an enjoyable debrief.

Thanks to Donna for organising this month's visit and plant swap.

Paula

Katie's New House Visit

Katie C's

Mt Maunganui

08 May 2014

 On a lovely autumn day we gathered at Katie C’s new home to marvel at the joy of a blank canvas. Those of us renovating someone else’s garden to make it our own could see how wonderful it must be to just assess a plot of dirt and map out exactly where you want to plant. The house is exquisite – it’s such a lovely home. 

The 6.5x5.5m magnesium filter pool is a major feature of the back yard, and the moat around it has gifted Katie a patch of garden in which she plans to create her more high-maintenance garden. To satisfy council pool regulations, she is not allowed to plant anything which grows higher than 1.2m and it must be a soft plant (no trunk or hardwood on which a child could get a footing). It’ll be in this garden that Katie will potter away in the gorgeousness of cottage perennials on a sunny day while the kids are in the pool. Around the perimeter of the section, she’s planting a screen of pleached olive trees which she will underplant with something (suggestions welcome!). In a raised redwood garden-bed on the deck, she will plant an ornamental pear and create four mini-gardens mixing ornamentals with edibles. 

At the front of the property, a striking fence has been built using 110 sleepers stacked horizontally. Inside the gate is a courtyard where she will sit raised rectangular vege beds. Around the courtyard she plans to plant miniature feijoas and lomandra.It was such a lovely visit (great smoothies) and wonderful to see the garden in its blank canvas state. It’ll be fascinating to watch as Katie’s vision for it takes shape. 

Keri

Wonder Around the Elms Garden

The Elms
Mission Street
Tauranga

27 March 2014

A bit of Garden History …

Many of the English trees in the gardens were planted by missionary Alfred Brown in the 1830s. An acorn carried from England in 1829, has grown into a fine specimen on the north lawn (pic below, note the post holding up one of the limbs). Norfolk Island pines were favoured by missionaries for the Christian cross, renewed in each year's new growth.

New Zealand trees and shrubs were planted in the early twentieth century by the second generation of the family to occupy the property.

There are also fine examples of unusual trees, such as the bunya bunya pine.

During the 1950s a fire cleared the garden in front of the library.

Duff planted all the trees on the library lawn, and in front of the building. The remaining fruit trees, citrus, apple and pear, date back to his era.

The Tea Garden, with seating surrounding a graceful palm tree, owes its name to Gertrude's efforts to help the family finances. Visitors were able to order afternoon tea by ringing a bell. 

Alice and Ediths garden. After the death of their mother, Euphemia, in 1919, her daughters went to the East Coast for a holiday. They were able to indulge their interest in New Zealand plants by bringing back small specimens of rimu, totara, miro, tawa and the native maidenhair fern. The sisters supplied flowers and foliage to Ruby Norris, a local florist, and raised funds to help soldiers during WW I by selling bunches of violets. They also raised some much needed income by supplying flowers and foliage to a local florist.

The Elms was once famous for its hollyhocks, which grew to an amazing 16 ft in height. In the 1930s a couple employed by Alice to help with the property obtained seed from a gardener at Buckingham Palace from the splendid hollyhocks that grew there. For years they self seeded in The Elms garden.

The last of the original elms planted by Reverend Brown was felled in the 1950s but one tree remains on the north lawn, grown from a sucker from one of the originals. It was planted by Alice Maxwell about 1945 in order to retain one of the trees after which the property is named.

Emily’s Boscabel Garden

Emily’s

Boscabel

30/01/2014

We arrived at Emily’s house after driving through the tree lined streets of Boscabel and then down a driveway flanked with agapanthus.

The house is about 9 years old and built in a villa style. The section is bordered on most sides with huge avocado trees. When Emily first moved in she said there were a lot of  pretty fussy gardens which they are slowly removing and replanting in a NZ native theme. 

There are newly established pohutukawa on the back lawn and manuka and native hibiscus at the back door. We stopped to nibble at the cranberry/Chilean guava which was covered in hundreds of gorgeous looking miniature red berries. 

Out the front of the house are lavender and techrium hedges leading us onto the swimming pool.

Once again native plantings have been established with a stunning mass planting of flaxes down one edge of the pool and native blue grasses and lancewoods at one end.

The garden then terraces down to established cherry, magnolia and more huge avocado trees with underplantings of hellebores, Japanese windflower and  liriopes. Emily has been interplanting with more natives such as rimu and miniature kowhais.

We finished off with a delicious morning tea and a swim for the children.

Thank you Emily for a very relaxing morning.

Vicki