Talking Gardening 7:00am to 10:00am

After leaving school Col had a variety of jobs ranging from a grocers assistant to sales representative, stock and station agent and auctioneer. He then found himself working for a fertiliser company where he spent a good deal of time conducting fertiliser trials and talking at farmer meetings.

During that time, Col enrolled as a mature age student at Canterbury University College of Agriculture and studied for the Diploma in Horticulture. He then went on to study for a Certificate in Journalism, a Diploma in Sales and Sales Management and enrolled in a public speaking course where he became an A grade debater. Col began his radio career in 1983, television in 1985 and newspaper in 1991.

What was your first job?
As a grocer's assistant in a small country town in New Zealand where I learned to bag up sticky dates; wrap parcels in brown paper and break the string with your fingers; and  take the bones out of a side of bacon without losing a finger.

What is your favourite on air moment thus far?
Talking to a boy of 10 who has now become an excellent gardener and who has his own gardening business.

What is your most embarrassing on air moment?
Haven't had one yet.

If you could interview anyone (living or dead) who would it be?
Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela or that great landscaper Lancelot Capability Brown.Contact

Email: gardening@4bc.com.au
SMS: 0427 13 13 32

Producer: Danita Goodwin
Email: dgoodwin@4bc.com.au