A lifetime of gardening

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My mother loved her garden and spent hours in it every day. Because of our climate, our potted plants need shelter from the sun so rather than hot-houses we have shade houses. She had two ‘shade-houses’. If a frost was predicted in the winter, she’d light two old kerosene lanterns and leave them burning in the houses overnight. Mum was always propagating plants from cuttings or seeds. She would donate dozens of potted plants for various street stalls including the Red Cross. This organisation had one big stall each year and towards the end of her life, Mum was donating upwards of 100 plants. Several men would come in the morning and load up their vehicles with the pots. Mum was always encouraged to be behind the stall to tell people how best to grow whatever it was they might be buying. She never belonged to the Red Cross but she was made an honorary Life Member for her contribution by way of her plants. The photo shows Mum with her tools of trade. Over the years, one spade and the fork have been worn down to half their former size.