What's inside?
I hope you are safe and well.
Most photographs tell a story other than the obvious image, this one is no different. In our recent challenging times millions of Australians have turned to gardening joining us all looking for a healthy respite and mental relaxation, producing fresh vegetables and fruit and growing some cheery colour at home. Indoor plant sales have boomed and children have joined in the fun too, all resulting in the highest ever percentage of our population enjoying the benefits of this amazing pastime.
When reading on Australia Day that I had been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal it was an enormous honour but one I share with many people. It wasn’t until recently when I received the AM from Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley ACQC, Governor of New South Wales, at Government House, Sydney, and hearing the citation read outdid it hit home how long my gardening journey has been. While the award was for ‘horticultural broadcasting and efforts in the community’ none of that would have occurred without Sandra’s lifelong support and that of my family over many decades.
Sandra’s underpinning of my early weekend radio hours, often sharing the microphone in those forty years, the enabling for me to film television around Australia and the world has encouraged more Australians into the garden. We’ve worked as a team in the media, on tours and appearances and I acknowledge this has built a huge following hopefully beneficial to everyone.
I owe a huge thank you to Sandra, my family and I share the AM with you all.
This journal is filled with optimistic interviews with friends, Phillip Johnson brings his giant Chelsea Gold & ‘Best in Show’ garden home, Dominic Wong’s love story growing peonies, Michael McCoy’s NZ gardens and Libby Cameron explores SA. Sandra talks us through her favourite annuals that span the space between early spring bulbs and shrubs through to late summer perennials, Angie Thomas gives advice on attracting pollinators, and I have the latest news on tackling fruit fly. And lots more.
Good gardening and go safely!
Photo courtesy: Rob Tuckwell Photography.