Well, I got a surprise this week! When I was interviewed by Frankie Webb from the local paper, I assumed I would be in a small article towards the back of the paper. Instead, I am front page news (as well as continuing of Pg 3) this week!

There is still time to vote for me in the competition - click on Vote For Me tab above to read all the details of how to vote, or go straight to http://nzgardener.co.nz/vote-for-your-nz-gardener-of-the-year-2013/, fill in the details (Pg 98 is the answer to Q2), and vote for me! Thanks so much!

Click on each of the following links to read the newspaper article:
Page 1
Page 3
or read at newspaper's archives HERE

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call that was a huge surprise! My daughter had nominated me for the NZ Gardener of the Year competition (and forgot to tell me). The call was to tell me that I had won the Best Vege Gardener section, putting me in the running for Gardener of the Year, and could they send a journalist around the next day to take photos and write an article for the next issue of the magazine?!

The photo and articles about each of the finalists appears in the October issue of New Zealand Gardener magazine, in stores today. The winner is selected by public vote, which can be done via a form in the magazine, or online voting at http://nzgardener.co.nz/vote-for-your-nz-gardener-of-the-year-2013/. If I were to win, the prize pack would allow me to put in place a number of things that will enable me to do so much more toward my twin goals - feed my family, and help others in need while inspiring them to grow some of their own food! If you are a NZ resident, would you please consider voting for me? And please tell all your friends too!

Below is a copy of the page from the magazine (more info re voting below):

Voting closes 29th October. One vote per person.
If you're voting online, then only one vote per IP address is permitted (so multiple members of one household could only vote if using a different network or location).

New Zealand Gardener magazine is one of my very favourite magazines! I have a subscription, and can't wait to get it each month and read all the great articles! There is always lots of great info on growing your own food, DIY ideas, organics and much more, and a couple of very humorous articles too. You can even use FlyBuys points to subscribe! This month has a great articles on courgettes (pg 26), though the quote from Nigel Slater "I have always had my doubts about any vegetable heavy enough to use as a murder weapon" had me chuckling. The vertical garden design guide (pg 94) has several ideas I love, but the Herbal Liqueur article (page 98) isn't really my cup of tea, as I don't drink alcohol, but for many others it has some great ideas! I can't wait to read the rest of the magazine, but I'm saving it for after I've headed outside today and dug my potato patch.