The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 2 Spring 2012 | Page 3

Welcome letter

How would we describe spring in Zimbabwe?
When I think of spring, I think of the time I spent in the UK with the
wonderful crisp days and being surrounded by daffodils. I know Zimbabwe
doesn’t necessarily have a spring, but how would we describe spring in
Zimbabwe? On a trip to Nyanga, I took the opportunity to ask some friends
how they would describe spring in Zimbabwe. The answers varied from the
beginning of the hot and dry months, the windy days, waiting for the smell
of the first rains, changing of the msasas, roses coming into bloom again and
the lawns starting to green up. Funnily enough, all these answers seemed to
stem from their childhood memories.
One of my memories of spring is my Gran’s Petrea bush coming into bloom.
My sister and I would endlessly twirl the Petrea flowers high into the sky
like little helicopters; much fun was had standing by this beautiful bush
trailing in purple blooms. I suppose spring in Zimbabwe means something
different to all of us, but there is so much we can look forward to in the
garden with the coming of the warmer months.
So, it is time to get back into the garden, shake off the winter blues and
take in all the colours that the warmer times bring us. To help you get
some life back into your garden and home this spring, we have a variety
of articles that will bring you all the colour and inspiration you need.
Happy gardening!

Kari
P.S. I’d like to thank you all for your wonderful feedback from the first issue. I was
touched to find out how new and experienced gardeners alike found it inspiring and
useful. Please keep the emails coming, telling us what you would love to read about.
Look for us on facebook too!
www.facebook.com/TheZimbabweanGardener

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