You’ll be glad to learn that this November, as part of the Benalla Festival, four of those lovely gardens with be open to the public, with proceeds going to Benalla’s community foundation, Tomorrow Today.
Kathy Ellis-Ragg is the driving force behind the garden openings this year.
“My husband, Brian, and I are enthusiastic gardeners, and I’ve enjoyed been a volunteer with Tomorrow Today for a few years,” Kathy said.
“I thought if I could approach a few other people to open their gardens ... we could potentially create an effective fundraiser for Tomorrow Today.’’
To her delight, three other garden-owners agreed to share their gardens with the public.
“I was grateful when my neighbours just across the road came on board, and then two other gardeners joined as well. I’m hopeful that the day will be a big success,” Kathy said.
Each of the gardens that will be on display is unique — some are relatively new, while others are long-established.
“One of the gardens has been established for many years,” Kathy said.
“It has some lovely hundred-year-old trees, which form the basis for a colourful cottage garden that has been cultivated over the last 20 years.
“Another is quite young but has a unique Mediterranean mosaic of grasses, perennials, cottage and vegetables, and is complemented by a wash of Dookie pink-coloured local gravel.
“A young garden can be just as inspiring as a more established one.
“A newer garden can show people how young plants need space around them to grow, and that gardeners have the benefit of being able to plant new species that suit our climate well.”
Bev and Ulf Kazenwadel’s is one such garden.
They have been working on their garden for just on three years and are planting species that encourage native birds and insects into the garden.
“Our vision is to see masses and flowers and pretty native bushes in no particular order, so it will be a riot of colour,” Bev said.
The couple wanted to open their garden to support Tomorrow Today after two of their granddaughters participated in Tomorrow Today’s Connect9 program.
“When Kathy approached us to see if we would like to open our garden as part of the fundraiser, it was an easy decision for us to make,” Bev said.
“Our girls got so much from Connect9, we thought it would be lovely to give back to Tomorrow Today, an organisation that does so much for Benalla’s young people.”
Four gardens will be open for the last day of the Benalla Festival, Sunday, November 9, from 10am to 3pm.
Entry is $5 per garden or $15 to see all four. All funds raised from ticket sales will be donated to Tomorrow Today, Benalla’s community foundation.
A stall selling preserves and jams made by students in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program at Benalla P-12 College will be at 8 Mitchell St, with the proceeds going back into the program.
The open gardens are located at 136 Arundel St, 24 Benalla St, 3a Mitchell St and 8 Mitchell St.
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