Kath Irvine’s new book, The Edible Backyard, will launch this Saturday in Featherston. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
John Lazo-Ron
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Gardening enthusiasts are in for a treat this Saturday with gardening teacher Kath Irvine to launch her new book, ‘The Edible Backyard’ in Masterton.
Irvine, who has been growing vegetables to feed her family of six for 20 years, plans to share her wealth of knowledge in her new book, which is a practical guide to growing organic fruit and vegetables all year round.
At the launch, Irvine will be in conversation with former arts and culture editor of the New Zealand Listener Guy Somerset and plans to guide people through her easy-to-understand book, suitable for any skill level from beginners setting up a new garden from scratch, to advanced green-thumbs seeking more profound knowledge.
Featherston Booktown is working with organisers of the Wairarapa Garden Tour to bring the book launch to Masterton, which also acts as a fundraising event for Pukaha National Wildlife Centre.
Featherston Booktown operations manager Mary Biggs said, “By collaborating with the Wairarapa Garden Tour, we are hoping to enrich the experience of the garden visitors to our region through books and new ideas.”
The event has been timed to enable garden tourists, who spend the day wandering about beautiful gardens in Masterton on the Pukaha Wairarapa Garden Tour, to take the weight off their feet, sip a glass of wine and listen to this fascinating, down-to-earth, garden sage.
The launch and the Garden Tour will take place at the Solway Showgrounds [Trades Hall 1] if the weather is inclement or would move outside if the weather gods show up on the day.
Biggs said this would be a glorious event to top off a perfect gardening day.
Both events can go ahead safely under covid-19 alert level two. Biggs said the organisers would adhere to government regulations of social distancing and contact tracing.
“We do ask our visitors to arrive with their masks on, although they can remove them when eating or drinking,” Biggs said.
There are only 100 tickets available for this event and can be purchased on Eventfinda or at the Masterton or Martinborough i-sites.
A ticket includes a glass of wine or Mela fruit juice or water and snacks, which will be served before the event starts.
Doors open from 4pm.
