“Life is better in the garden”. How many gardeners would agree with that?!

From the attendance at last Sunday’s North Central Garden Club’s (NCGC) Charlton Open Gardens Day, the lure of that precious space you call your own resonates with a lot of people! 

More than 220 visitors descended on the town to absorb the innovations, the ideas and the sheer pleasure of taking a peek at the lovingly tended plots of those locals who were willing to share their passion with other like-minded “green-thumbs”.

President of the NCGC, Aileen Allan, was overwhelmed by the visitor influx as the crowds flocked into the Uniting Church Hall for afternoon tea. 

“The event has gone really, really well,” Aileen said. “We have had fantastic feedback, and the weather has played a big part in bringing more people along this year.”

Combined with a raffle total heading towards the $1,000 mark, and visitors travelling from locations as far away as Portarlington, Echuca, Kyneton, Swan Hill and Bendigo, Aileen had nothing but praise for the “amazing” job that club members had done with the setting up and catering for the event. And considering that some were also doing “double duty” with commitments to other big events in Charlton over the weekend it only reinforced the club’s willingness to make 2024 a success. 

 “And we have even had some people from Tasmania who were travelling through and decided to stop!” Aileen said.

Visitors
Charlie and Susan Jacobson from Wynyard in the Apple Isle were on their way through Victoria to Temora for the Air Show when they saw the Open Gardens sign and decided to take a look. Over afternoon tea they were more than happy to talk about what an “excellent” time they had had viewing the gardens. 

“It was good to see both the new and the established gardens,” Charlie said. “The Club has done an excellent job, as it takes a lot of work to make these events happen.”

Properties on Show
This year the NCGC had seven properties on show – five in and around the township and two rural gardens – making for a diverse mix. Town participants included: Joan and Justin Sexton (Peel St.), Tanya and Mark Windsor (Armstrong St.), Lynne and Robin McRae (Windsor Ave), Donna and Ken Buckley (Gunyah Flat Road), Penny and Justin Van Bovan (Gunyah Flat Road) along with the rural properties of Sophie and Rick Lang (Narrewillock) and Deidre and Barry McKenzie (Barrakee). 

Recurring Themes
Interestingly recycling, starting from scratch (or a “blank slate”) and cultivating home-grown produce were recurring themes as the owners recounted their gardening history in the accompanying visitor’s brochure. Quirky ornamentation (i.e., old boots as planters) and found-objects as focus-points also added interest and were likely to be conversation-starters. 

Pride on work ethics to bring a dream together and highlighting new additions for repeat participants helped to connect with visitors searching for their own gardening solutions. 

Younger couple Taryn and Andrew Roberts from Wedderburn have been coming to the Charlton Open Gardens Day since they moved into the locality nine years ago. Trying to get ideas for their one-acre garden plot in Wedderburn, Taryn said this was an ideal way to see what other people are doing and what might suit their needs.

Over the years gardeners have been very keen to pin-point garden plants or objects which have meaningful connections, especially if tied to loved ones who have since passed on. And this year was no different.

“Happy Place”
For Tanya Windsor her “happy place” was a portion of garden containing a much-desired magnolia tree with her father, Charlie’s miniature windmill alongside. 

“In the morning, I can look out the window and see both of these” said Tanya, “and it’s always a reminder of Dad”.

For Donna and Ken Buckley, the unusual name of their property in Gunyah Flat Road is a lasting memorial for their beloved dogs – Charlie, Kathleen, Tim and Kelli – the names of which were configured into the title: “CHARKATIMELLI”.

“Those dogs were part of the reason we bought property in Charlton,” Ken said, “to have space for them which a suburban area couldn’t provide.” 

While those dogs have since passed on, two younger replacements now enjoy the freedom as the couple move between their urban location and country retreat. Having purchased the land more than twenty years ago, converting a bare block covered with Patterson’s Curse into a low maintenance haven featuring mainly natives, they now refer to part of it as their “Shangri La” which they happily share with visiting friends.

Every garden had its unique features – from the McKenzie’s “Covid Project” vegie patch, rustic potting shed and chook house, to the Sextons’ two-year odyssey which included the removal of a large cypress hedge and two 40 ft. palm trees. Justin Sexton was also keen to acknowledge the support received from Wes Jenkyn and Randell Perry, both of whom assisted with the property revamp.

As conversations buzzed over afternoon tea, and notes and ideas were discussed, club members reflected on the day’s success, having received much complimentary feedback on the selection of gardens and the organisation of the event.

Acknowledging the support NCGC expressed its gratitude: to the owners of the wonderful gardens, the Uniting Church for the use of the facility, the numerous people who had potted up plants and donated them for sale, and the outstanding work by the Garden Club members.

The painter, Claude Monet, said, “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece”. Let’s hope there are many more “masterpieces” to be discovered (in whatever form) as the Open Garden Day continues to nourish the gardening spirit.