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Open Garden Preparation 2010.
After the initial decision to leap into an Open Garden,
the reality starts to dawn that there is a significant
amount of work involved in making the occasion a
rewarding , safe an enjoyable one for visitors.
Our commitment in 2010 is to open as part of the Maleny
Garden Club “Gardens on the Edge” event on the Queens
Birthday Holiday weekend in June, and to the Australian
Open Garden Scheme in weekend of 9th and 10th
of October. Of no small concern is the “Rainforest
to Roses” National tour of Heritage Roses in Australia
coming to “The Shambles” on 5th October.
Well the main considerations are of the health of
plants, the overall garden appearance, tractability of
paths and access. The impact of too much or too little
rainfall (given that we have tanks as our only water and
no irrigation system at all) can effect the look of this
garden. Our record and prolonged rainfall in 2010 has
made us replant with buffalo grass and gravel shady
paths. We have done lots of tree lopping (even a couple
of removals) to let in the sun.
Of special interest are the beautiful hand made
sculptures which Kyleigh has made and which are mounted
on pedestals throughout the garden. Also we have tried
to accurately label (hand painted metal labels) many
plants for ourselves and for visitors and we never stop
collecting new plants into the garden. This is a garden
which we hope people will walk slowly through looking
down, up and all around at the variety of ornamental
plants crowded in.
There is plenty of parking on the road and our hedges
mean that it is quite clear to visitors that there is
only one way in. We have had to hop into our huge hedges
and plant the roadside embankment with lots of
perennials and roses to make it welcoming. Closer to the
time there is always the consideration of providing
signage seating, tea, coffee and refreshments and even
more interest in the form of our old cars on display and
perhaps some music.
Preparing for
the Day by Kyleigh
Preparing for
visitors for some people is all about bedding and
sleeping arrangements and the food. For us the visitors
thankfully will not be staying the night (That is what
B&B's are for!) but they will be looking at our large
and involved garden. During this year we have a few
openings planned for our garden at "The Shambles" and it
is not a daunting prospect because I've done it before
and it is nice to share a garden space with others. I
will share a few thoughts about opening my garden.To me
our garden is always beautiful but I am mindful about
what it means to open a garden to visitors. In fact it
is rather interesting how different people approach a
garden. Some are fellow experienced gardeners, but many
will be non-gardeners or just people who happened to see
the sign and like gardens. Also there are the people who
have absolutely no interest in gardens and who have come
for the ride or provided the transport so it's nice to
see a reluctant visitor be satisfied too.
Starting outside
the garden there needs to be adequate parking for cars
and buses. The entry needs to be clearly signed and
there should be easy access for all including prams,
walkers and wheelchairs. Pathways need to be kept clear
and we have asphalt and gravel paths to wander on.
Asphalt as a garden surface has turned out to be
excellent in our often wet weather and it has settled in
very well . The durable surface is far superior to
paving and concrete and makes some of the garden
accessible for people who use a wheel chair or walker.
The width of
pathways is also a consideration as it is nice to be
able to walk side by side with someone and not in single
file like a trek, though we have places like that too.
When opening a
garden the owners need to give some thought to a
possible circuit that can be taken by visitors
especially if the garden is small or there are a number
of features to see. In our garden there are several
discrete sections that have different collections of
plants and that have a different atmosphere. It is
useful to have a mud map or good signage so that
visitors do not miss out on seeing something special.
Plant signage is also important especially for stand out
specimens that you know will attract attention on the
day.
A short story or
handout about the garden is the norm these days and it
is a useful way of conveying a history of the garden or
to name collections of plants that you have. A sandwich
board of photos may also attract attention along with a
photo album that can be left for people to see.This
allows visitors to see plants at their best or when in
flower even if the garden opening is at a less than
favourable time of year. In our garden we always say you
have to "be here" to see particular plants at their best
and a matter of weeks on either side can mean that a
visitor misses a spectacular flowering show. Seasonal
changes can make the selection of a time for an open
garden difficult so it is really up to the owner to
ensure there is something worthwhile to come to see even
if it is just the hardy survivors in a drought.
I'm often aware of
the people who don't really get gardens the way I do and
at "The Shambles" we have a small collection of old cars
that seem to interest many visitors. There are also
original sculptures that I have made over the years that
compliment garden spaces and have meaning for our family
such as the much loved pets immortalised forever in
fired clay.
Down the back we
have the Plough Inn ,which was the original fruit
packing shed for the property when it was a much larger
farm. This little shed with it' s camp fire out the
front has become a natural meeting place for visitors.
We relax there ourselves so we know it is a great spot
out of view of the house.
Generally at an
open garden there is a stall for refreshments and there
needs to be some thought put into where this is located
and who is going to help and how the catering is
prepared. Over the years I've had many large functions
in the garden and I luckily have a core of
brilliant family and friends who help this go to plan.
People like to get a cup of tea and wander about so we
now use hay bales to supplement the seating and use it
as mulch afterwards.
When I organise the
food and beverages, I work on experience and I also
write an appraisal after an event that can highlight the
successful aspects and the areas that need to be
changed. Thoughts of cold cups of tea or insufficient
bins may be all your visitor leaves with when you really
want them to have had a pleasant and satisfying
experience in your garden. It is worth asking for
feedback from people to ensure your catering is up to
scratch and often there are limitations on how and where
you can set up things so flexibility is the key.
Having an open
garden is a a lot of work especially if you are
responsible for everything. Efficient time management is
the only way to achieve a relaxed demeanour on the day.
I am a great enthusiast for making lists. I have lists
for the garden ,the catering ,the helpers and the
program for the day for example. My lists from a few
months before an event may include heavy pruning,
dynamic lifter ( we don't really want that smell on the
day!) and problem areas to be worked on right up to the
last minute such as catering lists that will include the
purchase of milk and the making of sandwiches.
This year the
calendar is looking busy for open gardens and the lists
have already started.
One of my February
Lists:
Wonder when the rain is
going to stop
Reduce Privet Hedging and
Soap tree, Contact Chris Norris
Get rid of Bauhinia Tree
that is leaning over the house contact Matt Roy
Keep trying to improve the
small patches of lawn . Trial of sweet smother, Sir
Walter and seed.( Lack of sun and too much rain)
Lament about the lack of
electric power in the shed. Tidy up shed instead.
Potting up cuttings and
planting out plants to fill in gaps around the garden
Weeding road embankment,
garden beds, rainforest area as usual
Sweet pea preparation.
Climbing frangipani ?
Trellis to think about.
Gravel paths to extend
down the Western side.
Purchase Urn for next
catering event.
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