The wind has made gardening difficult in Dannevirke over winter and spring, but Lynne and Ken Mitchell take the elements in their stride.
"It's been hard, but we don't hold funerals for what we lose. Now when things are blown out we experiment with something else," Ken told the Dannevirke
News.
The Mitchell's Umutaoroa Rd country garden is one of five open to the public in and around Dannevirke tomorrow and on Monday the couple were putting the finishing touches to an already immaculate garden.
With such a vast garden, Ken has been trying to El Nino-proof, with tanks collecting water from every roof, including Lynne's newest treasure, her potting shed built by Ken and their three boys.
"Building this was the best boys time we've had since they've grown up," Ken said.
