School attendees hungry for fruit

Daltons school of gardening held their busiest workshop ever this past Saturday 28th April with over 130 people attending.  The workshop was hosted by recent Ellerslie International Flower show gold medalist Xanthe White and the topic was growing fruit. Industry expert Heather McDonald of Incredible Edibles was the special guest for the day and talked to enthusiastic attendees about growing more unusual fruit varieties, such as the Cherimoya and Pepino. These both produce edible fruit that cannot be brought in most shops.    Attendees also learned how to propagate using Pepino cuttings with Xanthe White and walked away with their own plants. Potted up and ready to grow.

The School was launched in the spring of 2011 in response to the demand from the public for more knowledge, access to experts and a central place for gardeners to meet, mingle and learn.  On Saturday May 26th the school of gardening is taking a special trip down to Daltons processing plant in Matamata which will then be followed by Lunch at Daltons Plantation and a walk around the plantation gardens, designed by Xanthe White.  Cost is $25 including transport and lunch.  Anyone wanting to attend should call 0800 808 150 for details.