The 1st of our Annual Harfield Gardening Competition was a roaring success! From the entry to rushed weekends of preparation in the rain, Judgement Day where the weather was perfect (thank goodness) to the Open Garden Day Tour and prize giving in Purley Park – we all had amazing fun. It was interesting and friendly and a great deal of tip swopping by gardeners was done.
We saw some amazing gardens, wild & wonderful, neat as a pin, classical elegance, English country, indigenous paradise, modern & minimalist, quirky & creative and our winning traditional garden is a wonder to behold - so very special, but what impressed the most, was how well the gardens where designed around the needs of the families that lived in them. All were well used and an extension of the living space. Many had vegetable patches and herbs in pots could be found everywhere. Most where totally organic and it was pleasing to note that our Harfield Gardeners would rather let the moles disrupt there neatness than put down poisons.
Congratulations to Cheryl Farquharson for being the overall winner of the 2015 Harfield Garden Competition. Not only did she take home the blue ribbon, but also R1000 voucher from Hart’s Nursery and a weekend for two at the Craigrownie 5 Star Bed and Breakfast.
This is the Judges comment on Cheryl’s special space:
“This is a garden that lives and breathes the love it receives, from a dedicated and passionate gardener, it carries through from the pavement, through the house, to the patios that invite you to sit and enjoy the tranquil beauty of a rich assortment of flowering plants, herbs and veg that blend into a harmonious whole. Everything is perfect in a way that can only be achieved by loving attention, at least 360 days a year.”
It was R50 for each entry and all funds raised go the cleaning and greening fund of the Friends of Harfield Parks.
Every entrant received a bag of Volcanic rock dust and some sample organic fertilizers from Hart Nursery and they all had the benefit of a one on one chat with Pam Hart, who was our main judge and who generously gave of her time to talk to each gardener and give advice on problem areas.
The winners of each category received a R500 Hart Nursery Voucher and a dinner for two at one of our lovely supporting restaurants, Banana Jam, Oblivion, Graze, Blue Fin, First on 2nd & Fat Harry’s. The runners up all received a R250 voucher and a bottle of Spier wine courtesy of Daniela of Remax. Congratulations to all.
Traditional Garden - Vanja Garth 1st, Cecelia Loy 2nd
Patio Garden - Cheryl Farquharson 1st, Lala Kruger 2nd
Pavement Garden - James Fernie 1st, Micki and Nicola 2nd
Veg Garden – Gabriella Garnett 1st, Fiona Pfeiffer 2nd
Complex Gardens – Aziza Isaacs, Dormax 1st, Fiona Pfeiffer, Monte Vino 2nd
Special Mentions went to Yasmin Ebrahim for her lovely indigenous pavement, Geni Spyker for creativity and excellent recycling of items and Denise King for her wild garden that is paradise for birds.
There were also some lovely spot prizes for those who did the tour and come to the prize giving and tea sponsored by Norgarb Properties, Hats and Bags by Oggi and Tropical Traders, a yellowwood from Heartwood, Pots from Stoneage, gorgeous Egg cup set from Francine Becker, Potted succulents from Ingrid Riemeyer, a wooden planter from Dylan and a lovely gardeners manicure from Milk & Honey. A Big Thank you to Ingrid, our new FOHP Chairlady, for the all the organising and for rounding up our Harfield bakers to turn out some great cupcakes for the tea party.
Purley Park was festive for the afternoon with tablecloths, flowers and people in hats and we can’t wait for next year.
BIG THANKS FOR THESE AMAZING DONATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE HARFIELD BUSINESS COMMUNITY
As a community organisation we have no income, so entirely dependent on donations from the residents and businesses in the community – and we are so blessed this month with the amazing generosity of
1. The Donation of a truck load of Beautiful hardy indigenous plants by Chris of Julip Landscaping and a commitment to donate plants to us on an ongoing basis
2. The Doctors of Medicross Kenilworth who donated a whopping R5000 towards our irrigation fund and sent us this letter
“Hi Gail
Thanks so much for all that the Friends of Park do within the community. Our practices services many patients in Harfield Village and we encourage any initiative that promotes people getting outside whether its for relaxation or for exercise. Taking a walk in one of the lovely parks in the area not only gets the heart rate up but it also clears ones mind – so its fantastic on many levels.
We really hope this donation will help towards that and once again thank-you for all the hard work you and your committee do.
Kind regards, The Doctors of Kenilworth Medicross, Rosmead Avenue”
The Friends of the Park have to reply that we are blown away and so very grateful for the great strides we can make with these donations.