To all our faithful readers, many apologies for not publishing an issue last month – too many distractions during the end of March and beginning of April to get organised properly. Anyway, here we are, back on track for May, and looking forward to a month of sunshine and full-blown spring. Sorry, David is just getting back from a holiday in Greece and won’t be contributing this month – watch for his next article in June, but our “mystery writer” is back again, I hope we can reveal her identity soon…the last segment of the great article on beneficial insects by Sharon Hanna, and a very informative article on flower photography by the world renowned New York Institute of Photography, illustrated with my own photographs (yes, this is my debut as a budding shooter!). This month’s Garden Action Items indicates things are well underway for the season, and the In-Depth Feature talks about a great time and stress saving feature, seedtapes! My piece reflects on flowering trees in my old school playground and how those memories return each spring with the trees on our street, and a warning about rhododendrons…
May and June are really the best months for many perennials, before the real heat of the summer cuts them short. Work in the garden takes on the familiar rhythm of seasons past, with some staking, potting up seedlings, preparing beds for annuals, planting out, etc etc. A busy time, but filled with promise and good things ahead…
I hope you enjoy this month’s features.
Feature Article:
“How To Photograph Flowers”
Reprinted with permission from the New York Institute of Photography website at http://www.nyip.com/. All photographs on this page by Mala Gunadasa-Rohling.
Tips and tricks for better pictures of all your garden favourites
Feature Article:
“Beneficial Insects – Part III” by Sharon Hanna
Sharon talks about lacewings and how to attract them to your garden. She also extolls the virtues of leaving a little patch of wildness to increase the biodiversity of your plot of planet Earth.
May Garden Action Items:
A list of things to keep you busy, there are many more at this time of year, but these pleasant tasks are why gardeners do what they do every year, and love it!
Feature Article:
Our infamous “mystery writer” contributes an article this month that really should have run in our April issue, but since that one didn’t materialise, I’m including her words of wisdom here in May – it still applies, of course, and you’ll learn all about some of the folklore behind planting times and the phases of the moon as well as more scientific discussions on favourite magnolias. Also a delightful table centrepiece idea that is very “Martha Stewart”, though she probably won’t appreciate it being referred to in that manner!
March In-Depth How-To:
“Seedtapes – A Great Way to Start Your Flowers and Veggies”
Even experienced gardeners can benefit by using some seedtapes – this is a super easy and fast way to sow seeds that are the perfect space apart every time.
Horticulture News from Around the World:
Ever wondered where the word “acorn” comes from? Worried about dandelions in the orchard? Like passion fruit?
Final Thoughts:
“How the Garden is Perfect in the Spring (as long as it doesn’t have too many overgrown rhodos!)” by Mala Gunadasa-Rohling
During May, the last days of spring slowly turn into early summer. This is the time when the last of the perennials appear above ground, and the daffodils and tulips and all their springtime companions fade away…