Able hangs up his tools

After 46 years of service, Abel James, the popular and much loved employee at Karibu Nursery puts down his shovel for a well deserved retirement.

Abel, the friendly manager, sales person and gardener at the nursery served his last day on April 28.

The all rounder joined Karibu when it was merely a rose garden that grew a few herbs. The nursery is now home to a variety of ingenious and exotic plants and is one of the largest nurseries on the Dolphin Coast. Abel said that he will miss taking care of and growing the plants when he retires.

“I have developed a close bond with a few of the special breeds, which I would pull away and grow on my own.”

His welcoming face and bubbly personality will surely be missed by everyone familiar with the the nursery as well as almost 40 of the employees that worked for him.

Abel plans on spending his retirement days leisurely and as a change from planting, his activities will include watching TV, listening to gospel and praying for grand kids.

To Abel, the job at the nursery was not just work but a passion, one that he will miss. He thanked his colleagues, the customers and his employer, Trevor Milstead.

Abel’s gardening tips:

“If you want a good garden forget about exotics and focus on growing indigenous plants. In times of drought these exotic plants require more water.”

Abel added that the first step to achieving the perfect garden is to ensure that the soil is good.

“For this you will need to buy a good, organic compost like Karibu Quick Grow which is excellent for trees, lawn and and flowers.”

He said that pesticides are usually too strong and advised gardeners to try the “organic worm tea which keeps pests away but also acts as a fertiliser.”

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