Autumn arrives in all its splendour
Avid gardener, Anne du Plessis from Mulbarton, is still enjoying her beautiful garden as autumn approaches and takes a walk around her “pride and joy” with Julie Maule.
“Gardening is no easy task and I have to admit I do have some assistance. You really have to spend a few hours each day in your garden to keep it looking neat and tidy,” says Anne.
She has put in lots of trees for shade but has chosen different species to give beautiful arrays of colour.
A stream runs through her garden into the Koi pond and she has planted Papyrus and ferns along its way as well as Iriscene, which is a lovely deep pink colour and Stretletzia with its orange and purple flowers.
“A garden should be a place where you can relax and enjoy quiet moments as well as entertain family and friends but it’s also very rewarding to grow your own vegetables and herbs. It’s handy to be able to pop out and pick these fresh when you are cooking,” she adds.
Anne has sectioned and walled off her vegetable garden to give it shelter and has used 44 gallon drums split lengthways in which to grow carrots and lettuce as well as lavender, nasturtium, rosemary and mint, to name but a few. She also has containers of marigolds within the vegetable garden to give lots of colour. An added feature is a stepladder against the wall where she stands lots of her small potted plants. This is also a good space saver.
Container gardening
With many people now living in townhouses or cluster homes they don’t have very big gardens and often only a courtyard or patio.
Anne says that the drums would be a good idea to create your own small garden feature and they just need to be filled with potting soil and vegetables like carrots or lettuce, herbs and flowers.
As you walk around Anne’s garden it is very clear that she spends many happy hours enjoying all it offers.
May gardening tips
* This is your last chance to plant bulbs which will flower come spring.
* Tulip bulbs must be planted this month.
* Camellias will be coming into bud. Don’t forget to water and feed.
* General maintenance should be done to keep your garden looking neat and tidy.
One of the natural rocks in Anne du Plessis’ garden is a good resting place to spend a few minutes reflecting on how hard work pays off.
On a lighter note
Marry a wife and you’ll be
happy for a week;
Kill a pig and you’ll be
happy for a month;
Plant a garden and you’ll
be happy for life.
