Michelle Riordan was May’s guest speaker at the Gunnedah Garden Club.
Not only a therapist and teacher of remedial massage, reiki, EFT therapy and yoga, Michelle knows all about lavender.
Growing it on her lavender farm, Gemini Park, on the outskirts of Gunnedah, she and her family have moved back to town after 27 years and is now transitioning to a home-based business.
She continues to transplant and grow lavender in her garden, adjusting to the challenges of the different soil and town water.
Michelle spoke about managing the farm and how they were affected by the drought. She grows many varieties of lavender, which all have their own individual requirements.
Lavenders can be grown from seeds, cuttings or spread by layering. They have a deep tap root, requiring free drainage, so are better grown in the ground as they will not thrive long term in a pot.
They do not require a lot of feeding, though do tolerate Blood and Bone, Seasol and the soil composition is important.
It has a dormant period, so advice was given that before it gets cold, gardeners should trim back the
new growth by one third, which encourages blooming in spring and summer.
Michelle advised that when harvesting lavender, hang them in a dark area, which helps keep their colour, with good air circulation, to prevent mould. Not all lavenders can be used for human consumption. Some are used for their high camphor content or their oil. For those who have sachets in a wardrobe to keep the moths away, the oil can be occasionally activated by scrunching it.
Garden club members thanked Michelle for a great informative talk, with president Joan Harwood presenting her with a lovely pot plant.
The May meeting was also the club’s annual chrysanthemum competition. The entries were disappointingly down this year, but guest Hope Phillips judged the few that were entered. Congratulations went to Sandra Tydd, whose miniature chrysanthemum not only won that section, but was selected as champion chrysanthemum too.
The monthly flower competition had some beautiful roses.
First place was a draw between Sue Walker’s orchid and Cheryl Field’s rose. Second prize was a draw between Coral Lorimer’s and Ann Penfold’s roses, while third was another draw, between Sandra Tydd and Julia Withers.
Results of the vegetable competition were: first place Michael Blackwell’s eggplant, second Julia Wither’s choko, and third went to Fay Byrne’s radishes.
After the meeting there was a light drizzle, which did not deter a few members from visiting Julia Wither’s garden.
Gunnedah Garden Club president Joan Harwood with Hope Phillips.
Guest judge Hope Phillips with Sandra Tydd who won the champion chrysanthemum.
