Gardening tips on offer this weekend at the Collie Show

Travelling around the country to talk about gardening is one of Ms Hahn’s favourite things to do.

“I grew up in the country so I love coming back. I love seeing the local agricultural produce each area provides,” she said.

Ms Hahn has been sharing her knowledge and passion for gardening for more than 25 years and has a scientific background in horticulture, soil science, entomology and botany.

She said agricultural shows were important for many reasons but particularly because they were educational for children.

“It allows them to understand where food comes from and how it is made,” she said.

Ms Hahn said one of the most common questions she gets is about how to make an edible garden and get the best out of their produce.

“People want to know what to do with their soil, how to attract more bees to their garden and how to increase their garden’s biodiversity,” she said.

There are times however when Ms Hahn does not have the answer.

“Sometimes when I don’t know, someone in the crowd does and then I’m the one asking all the questions,” she said.

“What I love about gardeners is we love to share our knowledge.”

While it doesn’t feel like summer is about to hit, Ms Hahn said now was the perfect time to prepare for the hotter and drier months.

“People need to start drought proofing their gardens, make sure their plants are strong and healthy so they can withstand the heat,” she said.

It is similar for the veggie patch too, as Ms Hahn said it was the optimal time to grow produce but you have to make sure they are getting enough water.

Even though Ms Hahn has failed to grow this South West native plant, one of her all time favourites is the snotting gobble.

She said it was a pretty little tree which only grows to be two to three metres tall.

“The fruit on it is just divine,” she said.

You will notice where it gets its name from as soon you squeeze the fruit she said.

“What comes out looks like snot but certainly doesn’t taste like it,” Ms Hahn said.

Ms Hahn hopes to see a good crowd at the show on November 17 and said it was good opportunity for people to see how others do things and expand their knowledge base.

Ms Hahn will be in the Badminton Hall at 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, November 17.