The annual Plant Lovers Fair at Kariong on the NSW Central Coast, returned on the weekend of 17-18 September. After two years of enforced cancelation due to COVID it was a shot in the arm for keen gardeners in this part of the state. Much had changed from previous years. Extensive and excessive rainfall over the past 12 months left the ground at the Kariong Mountains High School saturated and boggy. In addition, our car parking space had been sold to a developer. Nevertheless, the fair opened optimistically and by mid-morning on the first day, it was as the forced hiatus had never occurred. With over 40 exhibitors, Kariong is a small fair compared to some others but each grower is selected and invited with a view to ensuring a good balance of plant types for the public and to maximise returns to growers. Plant Lovers Fair will return in September 2023 with evermore renewed enthusiasm!
Paul Urquhart
