Back+To+Front+Garden+Day

A fabulously informative and entertaining day was held as a one off U3A Event at the Back To Font Garden Centre, Kalaru.The day was organised by U3A member Margaret Brown with catering by our "resident chef" Lynne MacMillan. All participants agreed the day was was a great success with a few of our members expressing this was their first visit to the Garden Centre, but vowing to return very, very soon.

Derek Povel the Manager of the Back to Front Garden Centre provided us with an overview of and background to the centre's history. As the garden centre looks very established,many of the group were surprised to learn the centre has only been trading since late 2009.

Derek explained that the business has been built as model of sustainability. Rain that falls on the site is collected, stored and recycled. The water that is collected is passed through sand filters to rid it of toxins and other organism which would or could damage plants within the nursery. Electricity used to run the garden centre is generated from a stand-alone solar system and a small petrol generator.
 * = [[image:Back_to_Front_1.jpg width="318" height="403" align="center" caption="Derek Povel provided a stimulating session for U3A members"]] ||= [[image:Back_to_Front_2.jpg width="305" height="401" align="center" caption="U3A members share the sunshine at the Back To Front Garden Centre"]] ||

The information shared by Derek including tips for autumn and winter gardens, including suitability of vegetables for these seasons and plants which will add colour to the garden. The informative session was followed by questions which were thoroughly answered by only someone, who has the deep knowledge of a horticulturalist.

The information session was followed by freshly cooked pizzas in the Garden Centre's outdoor pizza oven. For more the Back to Front Garden centre visit [] Many thanks to Margaret Brown for her great organisation and to Lynne MacMillan for her wonderful catering.
 * = [[image:Back_To_Front_6.jpg align="center" caption="Anne and Chris enjoy a chat about gardening"]] ||= [[image:Back_to_Front_5.jpg caption="Derek removing pizzas fromthe ovens"]] ||
 * = [[image:Back_to_Front_4.jpg caption="Members check out the pizzas as they Cook"]] ||= [[image:Back_to_Front_3.jpg caption="Lynne's pizza pastry and toppings were delicious"]] ||
 * = [[image:Back_to_Front_7.jpg width="384" height="196" caption="Alison List, Don Bretherton, Neil Porter, Vernon McNeill, Nancy Richards, with Derek Povel, manager of  Back To Front."]] ||= [[image:Back_To_Front_6.jpg caption="ison List, Jan O'Han, Michael O'Han, Lynne MacMillan"]] ||