What a courageous young man you are, putting your neck on the block like that. I'm sure there are plenty of gardeners sharpening their scythes right now, ready to come after you.

Seriously, I don't think any country could possibly claim to have the best gardeners. There are good, bad and indifferent gardeners throughout the world, working in a wide range of climatic conditions, and widely varying soils.

Certainly, there are many horticultural challenges in Australia, especially in more recent drought years, bringing decreased water supplies and increased salinity. However, these problems occur in other areas, too. Other gardeners, many of them bloggers, have their gardens frozen for several months each year.

Gardening, too, is very subjective. What appeals to one gardener, appals another. How do we determine who is a gardener? Are they only those who garden for pleasure on a small scale, or are they working on broad acerage to produce food and seed crops as a business?

One of the greatest joys of gardening is getting to know other gardeners, sharing information and even plants, and gaining great pleasure from the whole process, no matter how large or small.

Having seen some of the glorious gardens in other countries, I wouldn't dream of suggesting that we have the best gardeners in the world. However, I'm sure our gardeners are on a par with the best.

Very diplomatic Alice.