Australian Open Garden Scheme Celebrating 20 years
Presenter: Melissa King
Episode: 20 (8 September 2007)
One of the best ways to spend the weekend and gain inspiration for your gardens is to tour around looking at other people’s great gardens. We all enjoy a good sticky beak behind the garden fence and Australia’s Open Garden Scheme has been opening the door to some of the countries most outstanding Private gardens for 20 years. This year Australia’s Open Garden Scheme celebrates its 20th birthday and the years line up of gardens is spectacular.
The Scheme invites garden lovers to explore everything from tiny inner city courtyards to grand country estates, from flower-filled borders to backyards in all shades of green. Some gardens highlight the beauty of Australian plants; other garden are unique due to their use of plants and elements from all over the world. The gardens provide visitors with inspiration on everything from innovative design to water wise ideas and balancing a great garden with an active family.
It is hard to believe now but 2 decades ago the scheme started in Victoria and showcased just 63 gardens, Today it is spread across every state and territory of Australia and around 650 private gardens open to the public every year. Each year, garden owners very enthusiastically open their gardens to the public and as a further sign of the garden owners generosity all of the entry fees go towards community projects or local charities.
INTERVIEW GWEN FORD
Melissa: Each season you can always guarantee a good balance of old favourites with gardens that are opening for the first time.
Gwen you’ve opened your garden to the public since the scheme began, did you know what you and your husband were getting yourselves into?
Gwen: No, we didn’t, we didn’t at all, in fact on the very first day, and we baked about five or six dozen biscuits. And put them out on the table, we thought we would offer complimentary tea and coffee. Had no idea how many people came, it was a wet day and 1400 visitors turned up.
Melissa: Why do you think a scheme like this is important?
Gwen: I think it breaks down prejudices in a way. I don’t particularly like hard edge gardens, but I have seen a couple with elements in it that I do like, so I should have thought more about it. It introduces people to a broader range of visions I suppose.
Now you are all dying to find out what great gardens are open this year, so get into your local bookstore and pick up a copy of the official guide or log onto www.opengarden.org.au/
Episode: 20 (8 September 2007)
One of the best ways to spend the weekend and gain inspiration for your gardens is to tour around looking at other people’s great gardens. We all enjoy a good sticky beak behind the garden fence and Australia’s Open Garden Scheme has been opening the door to some of the countries most outstanding Private gardens for 20 years. This year Australia’s Open Garden Scheme celebrates its 20th birthday and the years line up of gardens is spectacular.
The Scheme invites garden lovers to explore everything from tiny inner city courtyards to grand country estates, from flower-filled borders to backyards in all shades of green. Some gardens highlight the beauty of Australian plants; other garden are unique due to their use of plants and elements from all over the world. The gardens provide visitors with inspiration on everything from innovative design to water wise ideas and balancing a great garden with an active family.
It is hard to believe now but 2 decades ago the scheme started in Victoria and showcased just 63 gardens, Today it is spread across every state and territory of Australia and around 650 private gardens open to the public every year. Each year, garden owners very enthusiastically open their gardens to the public and as a further sign of the garden owners generosity all of the entry fees go towards community projects or local charities.
INTERVIEW GWEN FORD
Melissa: Each season you can always guarantee a good balance of old favourites with gardens that are opening for the first time.
Gwen you’ve opened your garden to the public since the scheme began, did you know what you and your husband were getting yourselves into?
Gwen: No, we didn’t, we didn’t at all, in fact on the very first day, and we baked about five or six dozen biscuits. And put them out on the table, we thought we would offer complimentary tea and coffee. Had no idea how many people came, it was a wet day and 1400 visitors turned up.
Melissa: Why do you think a scheme like this is important?
Gwen: I think it breaks down prejudices in a way. I don’t particularly like hard edge gardens, but I have seen a couple with elements in it that I do like, so I should have thought more about it. It introduces people to a broader range of visions I suppose.
Now you are all dying to find out what great gardens are open this year, so get into your local bookstore and pick up a copy of the official guide or log onto www.opengarden.org.au/
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