Marsfield’s Rae Roy enters her garden in Ryde Council competition
A seasoned gardener wants others to pick up a spade and turn their thumbs green.
Northern District Times
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern District Times. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Marsfield’s Rae Roy is a seasoned winner in Ryde Council’s garden competition, but the joy she gets from gardening far outweighs scoring another trophy.
“It’s not for winning or attempting to win — it’s just to encourage people to take up a single pot or a couple of annuals on a balcony,’’ she said.
“I’ve come from a family of gardeners and I just love the relaxation of being outside and sharing it with the children in our life and neighbours.”
Mrs Roy and her husband Barry have entered their home of 41 years in the small garden category since 2013.
The competition also motivates the couple to prepare their backyard, which is bursting with lilly pillies, camellias, herbs and raised beds containing vegetables tomatoes, spinach, kale, lettuce and beetroot. Mrs Roy’s tips to gaining a green thumb include being practical about conditions such as knowing most Ryde soils are clay-based.
“I try to plant to the conditions and not fight them, otherwise it’s a constant battle, which is not enjoyable,’’ she said.
“I’ve planted for privacy because being in a suburb, you have houses all around you so we planted informal hedging trees to create that boundary.
“I think people think everything has to be perfect and exact at a horticultural level but it’s personal taste and an area of creativity.”
Competition winners will be announced on October 23.
IN OTHER NEWS
