Dear Canterbury Horticultural Society Member,

2017 an exciting year for the CHS

With the first month of the year over and everyone heading back to school and work it is time to plan all the things we want to do in 2017. The CHS is no different except we have been planning for some time to make this an exciting and fulfilling year for our members and the gardening community.

Our programme is due to be published shortly and you will see it is bigger than last year and full of interesting activities.

All About Gardening is shifting location to the Bridge Club in Nova Place just off Barbadoes Street. Buses pass nearby and there is better car parking for all. Monday night is the new night for AAG followed by Tuesday morning to provide the best car parking we can. It is a great venue so join us there. It is FREE for members this year! Bring a friend.

We are continuing all our programmes with over 100 activities to look forward to and participate in! 

Seminars & Workshops
Winter Speaker Series
Margaret Watling Floral Extravaganza
Certificate Courses
All About Gardening
Gardening Demonstrations
Orchards in Schools
Junior Gardeners
Oderings School Gardens Show
Ramblers
Members' Social Events
AGM & Awards Night
Terra Viva Autumn Garden Show
Spring Show

The Board and I look forward to meeting you at these events.
Alan Jolliffe

Download our printable newsletter here

ALL ABOUT GARDENING FEBRUARY

Monday 6th 7pm & Tuesday 7th February 9.45am

Dr Colin Meurk is our main speaker for both Waitangi day and the following day with the topic, Colourful Native Plants for the Garden.  

Also in the programme: From Your Gardens and this month’s Tips and Tasks with Michael, Dave and Alan and Practical Sessions and workstations.

Interactive Session on planting techniques.
 

ALL ABOUT GARDENING MARCH

Monday 6th 7pm & Tuesday 7th 9.45am

Susan Sanders, Christchurch Botanic Gardens Collection Curator is our main speaker for March. She will be talking about fuchsias.

Michael Coulter follows with discussion on standardising chrysanthemums and planting for Spring colour.

Also in the programme: From Your Gardens and this month’s Tips and Tasks with Michael, Dave and Alan and Practical Sessions and workstations.

Interactive Session on planting techniques.

AAG 2017

New Venue & Days

NEVER MISS OUT

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MONTHLY TIPS & TASKS

Michael Coulter

January has been a month of real challenges in the garden this Summer with winds, hot days followed by cool days and some rain. Despite this I have had plenty of good growth and fruit to harvest although some plants are running a little later than usual.

Much of the work to be done in the garden is around maintenance; weeding, watering and Summer pruning.

My crops of strawberries and raspberries have been very good and I have been able to make plenty of jam as well having plenty to eat and share. As I write this I am looking at my apricot tree which is laden with fruit, checking each day as to when they will be ripe enough to pick.

The dwarf peach tree gave me a yield of about 10 kg. A bit small but very good flavour, I did thin the fruit but I think that I should have thinned out more, must remember this for next year.

As I did not plant all my vegetable plots at the one time this year I have a much better constant supply. The tomatoes are ripening now so plenty of pulp is being made and frozen for the Winter.

For any gardening queries or advice you can always visit our online facebook group 

See a list of all Michael's February garden tasks here

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

Beautiful Kokedama Creations

Two successful morning workshops with fabulous creations. Many thanks to Allan Paterson for presenting this popular workshop. 

STOP PRESS

NZ vs South Africa One Day International

MEMBER OF THE MONTH

Get to know Gail Scrivener

What aroused your interest in gardening or horticulture?
At the young age of 13 and living on a large suburban section I enjoyed looking after the flower garden, keeping it neat, weeded and watered and generally helping my dad in all aspects of gardening. My aunt also had an influence on my gardening interests. She was a keen gardener and won many awards for her garden in Memorial Avenue.

 Find out more about Gail

ODERINGS - PLANT OF THE MONTH

Gazania Wild - Bring some WOW factor to your garden this Christmas

Next month the third Oderings School Garden Show opens. Here at Oderings we can’t wait to see what wonderful creations will emerge from each primary school.

Swan plants are in hot demand this Summer, everyone wants the happiness of watching a caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly especially children, there’s something so fascinating about it and not to mention is very educational as well. There are two types of swan plants available at Oderings, swan plant ‘asclepias physocarpa’ and swan plant silky. Read more

Available from Oderings stores on online at www.oderings.co.nz

WAITANGI DAY QUIZ

What did Maori use the following plants for?

1. Raupo (name three uses)
2. Poroporo
3. Harakeke (name four of the many uses)
4. Totara
5. Aruhe

Click here for answers

ODERINGS SCHOOL GARDEN SHOW

Fantastic line up of schools confirmed for 2017

Friday 10 March - Sunday 12 March from 10am

Experience "Once Upon a Time..." from participating schools, Sumner, Shirley Intermediate, Opawa, West Spreydon, St Albans Catholic, St Albans Primary, Westburn, Oaklands, Elmwood Intermediate, Sockburn, West Melton, Waitakiri and Ashgrove. 

The Woolston Club, 43 Hargood Street
Cafe open, plenty of parking
Gold coin entry

BUY, SELL, EXCHANGE!

Car Boot Sale

Saturday 25 March

The CHS will be holding a Car Boot Sale on the morning of Saturday 25 March in the Christchurch Bridge Club car park. It will take the form of a “buy, sell and exchange” and will be open only to our and the Bridge Club members with a focus on swapping plants, pots etc. in good condition.

There will be plenty of car spaces available, simply drive, park then open your boot and begin to bargain! Don't worry if you have nothing to sell or exchange, just bring along some cash and take a stroll along the open boots. 

Further details will be available in the March newsletter

TERRA VIVA AUTUMN GARDEN SHOW

Vibrant flowers & plants from alpines to bonsai

Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 April 2017
10am – 5pm
jointly presented by Canterbury Horticultural Society and Christchurch City Council Botanic Gardens

Where: Ilex Room & Marquee, Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Last years event featured Edible Canterbury/Ōtākaro Orchard, Christchurch Beautifying Association, Friends of Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Bonsai Society, NZ Alpine Society, Canterbury Orchid Society, Riccarton Horticultural Society, Canterbury Horticultural Society (CHS) Fruit & Vegetable and Chrysanthemum Circles, CHS Combined Garden Clubs and the CHS itself. We are expecting another great turn out for 2017.

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