Soil type tips for gardeners

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 649, 13 August 1996, Page 8

Soil type tips for gardeners

Ohakune club gardeners heard tips on soil types and fertiliser from farming fertiliser consultant Stephanie Rollinson from Ravensdown Fertiliser at their last meeting. Stephanie discussed the local soil types and the importance of getting the right pH balance. She said Ravensdown have a comprehensive range of products for all soil types and will make up a special mix to a gardener's requirements in 50kg bags. Mrs Rollinson suggested that several gardeners could share a bag as i t is much cheaper to buy the mix in the larger quantity. Separate bags of nutrients are available if gardeners want to mix their own. Sue Deadman thanked Stephanie for her informative talk, at the club's July meeting held at the home of Trish Smart on 23 July, and presented her with an Erica plant. Anyone who wishes to enter the hanging basket competition to be judged at the end of January is asked to contact Peggy Frew, 385-8375. The venue for the August meeting is to be Lois McQuarie's house in Tawhero Street. Members are asked to bring a hanging basket soil mix and plants for a "handson" planting session. A visit is planned to Tantrum's Conifer Nursery later in August. The competitions for the August meeting will be a spring flower, a pansy, and flower and shrub of choice. Contact numbers for the Ohakune Garden Club are Lois 385-8891 and Maureen 385-8455. July's results: hellebore; 1st F Frew, 2nd N Wilde, 3rd N Wilde; Pot plant; 1 F Frew, 2 L McQuarrie, 3 T Smart; Flower of Choice; 1 F Frew, 2 L McQuarrie, 3 F Frew; Shrub of Choice; 1 F Frew, 2 L McQuarrie, 3 F Frew.