Male species adds diversity to the garden mix

The men of Tauranga South Garden Club. From left is Maurice Copsey, Denys Moss, Graham Smith and Barwick Harding. Absent is William Liddell. Photo: REBECCA CAWSTON

Tauranga South Garden Club has a new species in their mix, of the male variety.

While the local gardening club, is open to all green-thumbed men and women, there's predominantly been much more carpel than stamen in the longstanding group.

But now the club has five male members, which doesn't sound like much, but is the most the club has seen in 65 years.

Club president Joan Malcouronne says the mister factor has changed the dynamic of the group for the better.

"Men seem to look at gardening a slightly different way ... they all love their gardens and like trying different things. They work out what is more beneficial, they can get quite scientific. Men go into that sort of thing."

Joan uses the example of keen gardener and group patriarch, Graham Smith, 84. He's been a member for 14 years.

"Graham always experiments with varieties, such as trying different strawberries types and using various fertilisers on his plants."

If you ask Graham himself, however, he'll say he attends because he "loves the ladies".

Denys Moss, 71, is studying a course in horticulture. He says the club appeals to men as they have some where they can show off their produce.

"If you grow a gigantic cauliflower, you can bring it along and say 'look what I've grown'," he says.

The club makes him even more enthusiastic about gardening, he says.

Maurice Copsey, 76, and wife Janet used to own a beautiful garden in Britain, which they opened to the public yearly. They no longer have the room for big gardens, but enjoy the club and its outings.

Barwick Harding, 76, says the sales table element will appeal to many men.

Joan would like to encourage more men to join the friendly group. Tauranga South Garden Club meets at Central Baptist Church hall on 13th Ave on the first Wednesday of the month.