Celebrating home and garden
Gardening, baking, and making things have always been part of people’s lives; whether out of necessity or invention. These domestic arts are great fun, and social too, thanks to the proliferation of garden shows around the nation.
Our district has the Waimate Garden and Craft Show, held each February, where locals showcase their produce, baking, crafts, and photography.
Show president Lindsey Willoughby says although people are competing for points and trophies, what’s more important is the social connection, and sharing knowledge and ideas.
All age groups are catered for, and this year they’ve re-instated the George Dash Memorial Cup for the most points won by a primary school age competitor.
Lindsey and the committee would love to see more competitors; and she says all are welcome to compete, or come along and see the displays.
Show vice-president Lex Young has a massive vegetable garden at Studholme. It’s on some of the best dirt in New Zealand in an area famous for its grain crops.
Lex, a retired farmer and high country musterer, sells produce and flowers at the Waimate Community Market.
He began growing gladioli in 1994, and first heard about the plants when he was mustering in the Mackenzie Country as a young man.
‘The old cook in the shop raved about the glads - he said, they’re big and bold, and they stand out. Later, I was leasing a farm and I started growing glads because if you’re going to grow something you’ve got to be able to dig it up and take it with you.’
Lex says the best fertiliser for a garden is the gardener’s footprints.
His other advice for new gardeners is to just get on with growing things, and not worry too much about landscaping.
‘I have little time for raised beds, if you’ve got good dirt, grow in the dirt. Raised beds are wonderful things for the wheelchair-bound, old buggers, and asparagus (which doesn’t like wet feet).’
Lex has propagated hundreds of gladiolus. Every year there’s something new, based on what the bees breed, and what he selects.
‘The bees do the breeding and I do the propagating…when I have one I like the look of that develops pods, I go on from there. I’m pretty selective.’
He moved to Waimate district ten years ago.
‘The body had had enough of fighting sheep. High on my list was good dirt, a home that’s all the size I need, affordable, and in a great community.’
Favourite thing about the district:
‘I really like the community in this immediate area, we get on well. I know it depends on your own attitude too, but I like the people.’
Favourite bite to eat:
‘Sam at the Studholme Pub does a good meal.’
Favourite place in the district:
‘I'm very much home-based but I will give a plug for Knottingley Park.’