Volunteer Update from Alan Hickman

The cooler wetter weather has come at just the right time to get the last of the major planting done. Last week the three display beds at the main entrance were planted, and on Monday Moeen planted the front of the big oval bed on the corner to pelargonium cuttings. We need a big push this weekend to prep the north and south shrub borders in the Wedding Garden. We have just received a donation of 8 newly-introduced flowering shrubs from the Proven Winners series to go with the 16 plants already growing, and there are lots of dahlia tubers to be planted to fill the empty spots.

In the vegetable area the onions grown by Ian Armstrong Landscaping have already grown enough to be visible and we can mulch them with straw at any time. The tomatoes are taking off nicely although a few have needed replacing so it was as well there were left-overs. The rain has brought on the potatoes and they are still looking surprisingly healthy. There is a steady supply of adult potato beetles and eggs to be picked and there is a growing number of ugly red grubs starting to shred the leaves. The radish are now over and those that are left have gone woody and are inedible.

For the record: Chuck just went over 100 hours in the garden, much of the time spent picking beetles which is why the potato plants still look respectable.

If you had help this Saturday and/or Sunday afternoon - nominally 2pm to 4 pm - please phone me around 8 a.m. on the day so I can plan for who is coming.

High Temperature:
Actual: 17°C sun and cloud Wind WNW20km/h P.O.P.11%
Average: 26°C
Record: 36°C in 1949

Low Temperature:
Actual: 9°C partly cloudy Wind NW24km/h P.O.P.20%
Average: 14°C
Record: 7°C in 1942