Fruit to complement veg at Hollards

Last year's series of hands-on gardening workshops at Hollard Gardens in Kaponga might have been the main course - but there's dessert to follow.

The attention is now turning to growing fruit at home, with the basics to be explored at a free public workshop on Sunday 25 July.

"This Food Forest Workshop will cover the planning and preparation needed for a home orchard with a difference, and explore the benefits to your garden," says the Taranaki Regional Council's Regional Gardens Manager, Greg Rine.

"We'll also be continuing the hands-on approach we took in last year's workshops, so workshop participants will be able to get involved in the planting of blueberries, hazelnuts, persimmons, feijoas, plums and gooseberries."

Last year's series of workshops resulted in the creation of a demonstration area that's been dubbed Bernie's Home Garden in honour of the property's late founder, Bernie Hollard.

The Food Forest Workshop starts at 2pm on Sunday 25 July, and runs for two hours.

It is part of a series of free public events at Taranaki Regional Council heritage properties, which also include Pukeiti and Tupare.

For more information, see www.hollardgardens.info, www.tupare.info and www.pukeiti.org.nz.