Don't forget you can find a copy of Michael Coulter's Monthly Tips & Tasks here
GARDEN LIFE DECEMBER
Tuesday 3rd 6pm & Wednesday 4th 1pm
Main Speaker: Valmai Becker
Phytofarm, Little River
In the 1980’s Valmai owned The Old Shipping Office, an Akaroa restaurant popular for its provincial cuisine, artful plate design; use of herbs and edible flowers. She attained a Diploma in Naturopathy (ND) in 1980 and with this qualification she established and managed a clinical practice for eight years, specializing in using the philosophies and traditions of natural medicine and a holistic self-healing model of wellness. She used Herbal Medicine, Nutritional and Massage Therapy to manage acute and chronic conditions.
Valmai is a well known Naturopath from her years as a clinical practitioner and her involvement in the establishment of Canterbury College of Natural Medicine (CCNM). With her passion for Natural Medicine as the course director, she wrote curriculum to New Zealand Qualifications Authority standard for the Diploma programmes taught at the college and was a teacher in many aspects of Natural Medicine.
Phytofarm is now her primary passion, where she brings together a number of her skills: gardener, teacher, learner and care taker of 10 acres of forest and gardens.
Mini Speaker: Dr John Clemens AHRIH
John Clemens is a horticulturist and landscape ecologist who has worked with plants, gardens, and nurseries in the UK, Australia and – for almost 40 years – in New Zealand. He was awarded an Associate of Honour by the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture in 2023 for teaching, research, and advice to the horticultural industry. He was Curator of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. He currently works as a Biosecurity Advisor (Special Projects) for Environment Canterbury. In this talk he will introduce you to today’s “special project”: how we can work together to minimise the impact of pest plants in our gardens and neighbourhoods. Get to know the problem pests and what we can do to conquer and replace them!