DOES it pass the pyjama test, I asked when house-hunting the other day. Can you get up in the morning, wander outside in your nightwear unseen by passersby?
We all know how a quick pyjama-clad trip turns into an hour or more when we spot a gardening job to do – like watering. And soil moisture levels are well down on average for this time of year in many regions.
We can opt for drought-resistant ornamentals but veggies need a regular water. Hardly surprising, when potatoes are 80% water by weight and lettuces more than 95%!
This issue, to help with watering tasks this summer Andrew Maloy assesses different irrigation options, page 16.
Pamela McGeorge visits well-known garden photographer Gil Hanly in her Auckland city garden, page 12. Also in this issue, find out about chia, a new ‘superfood’ to grow and about a green leafy veggie that lasts for years; and meet the 2009 Rose of the Year winner’s breeder.
Our centre pullout is a special finance supplement. Gardeners, we are told, make good investors. And that’s the theme of this supplement provided by New Zealand Investor magazine, a leading provider of independent information about all forms of investment.
Good gardening – December’s long days (and light early mornings) are perfect for it.
Susie Longdell,
Editor.
