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Garden Stories: Waiwai Hove, Botanical Illustrator Extraordinaire

I recently got to know of Waiwai Hove, a highly talented botanical illustrator to say the very least. We exchanged emails over a duration of two months before we got to meet, and the newly minted UNESCO World Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) provided the perfect backdrop to catch up. Waiwai works from there on certain days, as she has been commissioned to paint 30 of their heritage trees, which you will read more about in the interview. Waiwai is also the illustrator of SBG’s 2015 calendar, which sold out – a first time occurrence, her colleague told me.

I had a delightful time with her, we strolled through part of the gardens as we conversed on various topics, such as her work with SBG, intricacies of botanical illustration, her twin boys, and plants – naturally! We encountered a few animals, which she was quick to spot, and I had trouble detecting even when she had pointed at them. She has such a keen eye for details, but I suppose you would say that it’s expected given her profession!

We also dropped by the “Orchids of Singapore Botanic Gardens and Their Heritage” exhibition, where I got to view Aranda Lee Kwan Yew, before sitting down for a drink and a good chat. Waiwai showed me her portfolio, which I found absolutely incredible. Her work is outstanding – while it is beautiful, it is also scientifically accurate, and it’s no wonder that she obtained the highest marks ever scored in the Society of Botanical Artists diploma course she completed. My time with this gentle woman passed quickly, and soon it was time to pick up her twins from school, but we agreed that we should catch up again soon, and hopefully view her home studio and plants.

I hope you enjoy this interview, it’s been a while!

Image courtesy of Waiwai Hove

September 21, 2015 by Olivia

City

Soil Workshops for Serious Gardeners

Nong (by Edible Garden City) and I are celebrating the International Year of Soils, and we have organised a few workshops in July for those who wish to delve deeper into the world of soil. The three sessions run on separate Sunday mornings for 90 minutes, and each session costs $49. There are discounts if you purchase more than one session – if you decide on all three, the bundle price is $128, and if you go for two, it will cost $88. What’s included in the ticket? Read more below to find out : )

Soil Mixing Workshop – for Serious Gardeners

Wish to learn the basics of soil and learn to make your own seed raising mix and potting mix? There are many recipes available, and it also depends on what you’re growing. Hear about the different variations of soil mixes and participate in this hands-on soil mixing workshop, where you’ll take home a sample pack of the soil mixes we prepare that day.

The cost is $49 per person, and limited spaces available, so booking is necessary. Book your spot at http://soilmix.peatix.com

Soil improvement – for Serious Gardeners

To have healthy plants, we need to ensure there are good microbes in the soil to make fertiliser nutrients available to it. During this session, find out what fertilisers and soil amendments can be used to improve soils. In addition, we will showcase some products that are available in Singapore, as well as some methods used overseas, and participants can take home a sample size portion of a few different kinds of soil amendments.

The cost is $49 per person, and limited spaces available, so booking is necessary. Book your spot at http://soil-improve.peatix.com

Soil Blocking Workshop – for Serious Gardeners

Soil blocking is not a new practice, it is common in Europe, and growing in popularity in farms overseas for its many benefits. Instead of growing in conventional seed trays, soil blocks are made with a special hand tool. Some reasons for preferring soil blocks include a lowered risk of transplant shock for plants with delicate roots, promotes healthier root systems, and results a reduction of plastic waste.

Come and experience for yourself how a proper soil block mix is prepared, and then turned into a soil block, and of course — take some for yourself to test out at home.

The cost is $49 per person, and limited spaces available, so booking is necessary. Book your spot at http://soil-blocking.peatix.com

I hope you can join us!

June 30, 2015 by Olivia

City

Upcoming workshops for June and July

It’s been a while since I’ve conducted a workshop! I’m back with some new workshops – Grow Your Own Salad Workshop, and The Hanging Gardens Series. I’ve recently partnered with Within.sg as a venue and knowledge provider, so please come and check out this tranquil green space if you haven’t already.

GYOS2

Learn how to grow your own raw salad ingredients on your sunny balcony or backyard in this two-hour workshop . I will share essential gardening tips and know-how for growing salad greens that are well-suited for our climate. Guests will take home a gardening starter pack which includes seeds, a propagation kit, seed raising mix, fertiliser, pots and plant notes on vegetables and herbs such as kale, purslane, lettuce, beetroot leaves, beans and cucumber, and you will leave with the knowledge you need in order to grow, nurture and harvest your own food

Wish to introduce greenery to your space, but looking for something space-saving yet stylish? In our Hanging Gardens series, find out how to bring the garden indoors and make them a vertical feature in your home.

Over four sessions in July, you will be taught to construct attractive, swish-looking hanging planters that will thrive in a light filled room. These hanging garden designs include:

– Macrame planters

– Kokedama

– Himmeli geometric planters

– Hanging basket

June 14, 2015 by Olivia

City

Off to the Markets!

Today I tried my hand at tending a market stall at Watten Estate, for an annual event targetting residents. I participated in a market almost a decade ago on a grass patch where *SCAPE is right now, selling something completely unrelated to gardening — handmade cards! But really, this is a first proper attempt at managing a stall, I put in a fair bit of effort to dress up my shop front, can you tell?

I thought this would be a fun experience, and also a way of promoting upcoming workshops and to meet other keen gardeners. In addition, I have some seed stock that I wanted to move. My seed box is getting quite full, and I felt it was a good idea to declutter a bit, instead of being a seed hoarder.

May 24, 2015 by Olivia

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