Springtime is sowing time

Springtime's the season for sowing seed. And gardeners will be flinging seed about at Hollard Gardens on Sunday 12 September.

Seed sowing will be the focus of another free public workshop at Hollard Gardens, starting at 2pm on Sunday 12 September.

The two-hour workshop will focus on sowing techniques. Seeds will be provided and participants can take along their own to share or swap.

Other topics will include:

• Grain seeds suited to Taranaki's climate.
• When to sow.
• How to keep a variety pure.
• The best equipment for getting your seeds started.

The Council's Regional Gardens Manager, Greg Rine, says children are encouraged to join in the workshop. "Kids enjoy seeing the magic of plants growing from seed, so we'll be sowing seeds for them to take away," he says.

The workshop is one of a series of free public activities at Hollard Gardens, Tupare and Pukeiti, the three heritage properties owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region.

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

The three properties are open daily from 9am to 5pm and are free to visit.