Mixed emotions

As I flick (or, rather, ‘click’ as we haven’t yet gone to print) through the pages of this issue, I couldn’t be happier with how my final magazine as editor has come together.

I love the kooky kale cover. Yes, I’m aware it tops the list of the nation’s most disliked vegetables, but it also polls number five on the most liked (according to Yates). And, just like gardening, it’s good for you (so make some kale chips or add it to recipes where you can disguise the flavour!)

There’s an incredible bunch of cover stories this month, each communicating aroha and connection. We report on the rise of community gardening to gather with others, collectively grow food for the local pātaka and give back to those less fortunate. Rachel Vogan’s story of the working bee she led recently at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque is especially poignant, as we remember the fifth anniversary this month of the hideous attack there (page 35).

Wendy Maddison takes us on a delightful wander into the heart of a labyrinth in her mindfulness piece (p. 96). Much-loved pets are front of mind in Liz Carlson’s story on non-toxic houseplants (p. 73). For those with a passion for gardening but only a small space, Mark Rayner has inspiring ideas for containers and balconies (p. 78).

Shirley Parsons is a Kiwi gardener with plenty of ticker – Gillian Vine catches up with this active 92-year-old volunteer

(p. 14). Sarah O’neil shares clever ways to get the kids to stop scrolling and start gardening with you (p. 86).

There are pages upon pages of helpful advice on autumn planting and getting your winter food supply prepped now, thanks to regular contributors like Shannon Hunt, Diana Noonan and

Marilyn Wightman. Meanwhile, Amber Bremner celebrates the apple harvest with a crunchy salad and creamy panna cotta (p. 52 ) and Andrew Maloy, aka the Plant Doctor, dispenses his valued advice on copper-based sprays and clematis (p. 104), and Rebecca Lees cues our Moon Calendar (p. 108).

I have mixed emotions as I step back from liaising each month with the terrific people who are our contributors (including Hayden Foulds, Gretchen Carroll, Vivienne Bailey and Veronica Armstrong who don’t appear in this issue), and daily with my amazing team. A shoutout to

Kiwi Gardener designer Lauren and advertising manager Carrie, both new recruits who’ve brought terrific energy to the big roles they play in production each month. I’ll miss the process of pulling everyone’s creativity together, and I’m proud of what we’ve collectively achieved and the new features and writers I’ve introduced.

I’m grateful for the support of our publisher, Charlotte, for the opportunity to edit a fantastic magazine we know is so appreciated (thank you, readers!), and especially to my sub editor

Kerry Laundon (pictured left) for her meticulous and miraculous fact-checking and gap-filling every month.

I leave you, and the wonderful Kiwi Gardener, in Kerry’s capable hands from the next issue.

Happy gardening! Editor gaynor@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz