Four Seasons
To keep you updated with the latest news and reviews on gardening topics, the Gardeners' Circle WA Inc. offers a magazine, 4 times a year. This magazine is called 'Four Seasons' and is free to members (AU$3.00 to non-members). An edited transcript of speakers presentations, seasonal tips and 'Jobs to do' for each month, a general events diary and information on discounts to members can be found in the magazine.
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Lorraine Douglas, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Lorraine Douglas (magazine editor) at lorraine.douglas@iinet.net.au
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Lorraine Douglas, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Lorraine Douglas (magazine editor) at lorraine.douglas@iinet.net.au
president’s perspective
president’s perspective
We’re back! It’s been wonderful to meet up with so many of you recently,
since we resumed meetings in September. Of course, we’ve had to make
some changes and compromises to the way we normally operate, but we
realise how fortunate we are compared to those in many other places.
We’ve also run our first event since resuming, a highly successful bus trip to
several gardens in York. The enjoyment in being out and about again was
very clear, and many thanks to Ro and Sheryl for organising the day.
In September, we gained a microscopic view of microbes in our soil, from
Earthwhile Australia’s Ellen Walker and her team. Who would have known
we had clumping ‘bags’ and ‘spreaders’, working away beneath our feet? And we got back to basics with some plant profiles, plant and produce sales, and a pop-up shop, as well as a wonderful plant display and supper. All very familiar and enjoyable.
October saw us at a different, smaller venue nearby, but with a fine evening we were able to use the out door
areas as well. We had encouraged members to wear a ‘tree- inspired’ outfit, and there were some
clever, creative and entertaining results! You’ll see some of these later on the website, and here in our
newsletter if you missed out on the night.
Our guest speaker, Marcelle Coakley, gave us an insight into the work of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen
Garden Foundation in WA schools. It was inspiring to hear about the positive results being achieved from early education to senior high school and ways in which the community outside the schools have be come involved. Continuing our ‘tree’ theme, we also had two presentations from your committee, Lorrie Gray outlining some of the important roles trees play in our society, and myself with some fascinating facts, amazing examples, and a display of images from members’ gardens.
Meanwhile, our spring gardens have been flourishing. My own is approaching its scruffiest time, when I wait for masses of mingled spring annuals to die down so I can collect the seeds, to enjoy it all again next year! The Peony Poppies, Sweet Peas, Linaria, Malcolmia, Corinth and Nigella are already going to seed, leaving the Queen Anne’s Lace to dominate, some taller than I am. I hope your spring gardens have been bringing you pleasure, with lots of colour and interest.
As we approach the end of a year unlike anything any of us could have expected, I’d like to thank all our helpers who have so willingly adjusted to changes, and especially our committee, for their unflagging support. I’m looking forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.
Jan Russell-Brown