The Bromeliad Society of Australia Inc. will hold its next meeting at the Federation Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground, on Saturday, 10 October. The public can browse and participate in plant sales starting at 10 am, with the meeting beginning at 11:30 am.
This month’s guest is Bronwyn Holm, founder of Earthfood. Her family story reaches back to the 1880s, to the pioneering winemakers of New South Wales, including those at Hermitage Estate. Since then she has spent decades studying living soil biology, working with home gardeners, commercial growers and farmers across the country. Members say her down-to-earth manner has changed how plenty of people see their gardens and paddocks.
Her message is a hopeful one. Most gardeners haven’t forgotten how to garden, she argues. What has shifted is the soil itself. Many modern soils and potting mixes no longer work as they once did, and without living biology doing its job, plants rely more on watering, feeding, and constant attention just to survive.
Restoring that biology, the talk suggests, helps soil hold moisture, supports stronger roots and grows tougher plants. The idea is less about working harder and more about letting the soil do what it was built to do.
The usual meeting favourites will run alongside the talk: competitions, the raffle and Show & Tell. A newer addition, simply called “Show”, lets members share a plant without it being judged or picked apart. Audience questions are welcome throughout.
For more information, contact Ian Hook on 0408 202 269 or at [email protected], or visit www.bromeliad.org.au.
