MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Celebration highlights ‘best gardening season in a decade’

By

Nicky Palmer
Nicky Palmer of Sherwood Garden Centre, gives young Yasmeen Caderbegg, 5, gardening tips ahead of the inaugural Baywest Spring Celebration being held at Baywest Mall this week in collaboration with the garden centre.

Organisers of the inaugural Baywest Spring Celebration from September 17 to 20 aim to recreate the success of the once popular Addo Rose Show for Nelson Mandela Bay.

“This is one of the reasons we have teamed up with Sherwood Garden Centre,” said Baywest Mall marketing manager Samantha Hewitson. “We are fortunate to live in a beautiful gardening region and we would like to celebrate that.”

Organisers of the celebration say the region is enjoying the best gardening season in more than a decade, given consistent and substantial recent rains and full supply dams.
Even with the good rains and full supply dams, organisers are advocating water-wise and sustainable gardening techniques at the Baywest Spring Celebration, being held at Baywest Mall.

“The seasons have been kind and plants are starting to flourish,” said Sherwood Garden Centre owner Carmel Wolf. “We are fortunate enough for the city’s dams to be full, but we are encouraging gardeners to remain conscious of their water usage. Advice will include tips on when to water, as well as what indigenous and water-efficient plants to garden with.
“In spite of living in a fairly arid region, one is still able to cultivate a beautiful garden. Good gardening habits and being careful with water will ensure that the protection of this precious resource is respected.”

The festival schedule includes talks by the Bay Bonsai Society, the Orchid Society, the Clivia club, as well as a children’s gardening workshop and flower arranging demonstrations, said Wolf. There will be creative displays of plants as well as plants to purchase.

Hewitson said the celebration was part of the centre’s plan to bring new and innovative activities to the city.

“We are continuing to make good on our promise to bring ‘big things’ to the Bay, and will be announcing our next big and exciting event later this week,” said Hewitson.

Hewitson said shoppers could look forward to more unique events at the mall, as more of their favourite stores opened their doors leading up to December. Recent store openings include Cotton On, MTN, KFC and Typo. Other new brands for the region which have recently opened at Baywest include Factorie, Grays, Tread & Miller, and Levisons.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.