Edible Garden Show roaring success

Flaxmere Primary School parent Katie Ivamy (top) and teacher aide Pip Currie look over their school's entry in the New Zealand Edible Garden Show before judging. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

The second annual New Zealand Edible Garden Show has been hailed a success.

Business development manager for the Hawke's Bay A&P Society, Hillary Riches said apart from the weather everyone was happy and it had complemented the Blossom Parade to make an enjoyable day out.

Image 1 of 7: L-R Alex Hickey yr3 and Molly Lawson yr3 looking at garden in a box entries, NZ Edible Garden Show

"Because it is a free event we haven't recorded numbers but there is definitely more than last year," she said.

"It has got better traction than last year - it is one of those events that is going to grow. We will continue to work with the Blossom committee to make a huge week of this sort of thing."

The wet weather made some parts of the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds muddy.

Some failed to pack their gardening attire.

"There are some with some pretty flash new shoes on - they are not going to look so flash when they leave.

The show has four key areas: food, gardening, landscape design and animals.

"The new thing this year was The Warehouse Garden Challenge for schools.

"They have been making gardens in a box and bringing them in on display - one was in an old dishwasher drawer."

She said while visitors were diverse it was not for teenagers.

"This is not the Show - it is completely different and definitely not a teenage event.

"It is not a hot dog and chips/sideshow event, it will always be more about education and healthy sustainability.

"You usually only start thinking about starting a garden again when you have your own house and are conscious of healthy living."