In his poem ‘My Garden’ Victorian poet Thomas Edward Brown begins by saying ‘A garden is a lovesome thing’ and ends by assuring his readers that God surely walks there. Almost certainly there isn’t a single member of the Nimmitabel and District Garden club who would disagree.
The group has just organised what can only be described as a two day festival of gardening across one of the harshest climate zones in the country.
Several open gardens and a huge plant fair held at the Nimmitabel Showgrounds attracted visitors from Sydney, Canberra, the coast and into Victoria.
From bonsai to rare bulbs, orchids, drought and frost tolerant specialities and rare plants could be investigated and expert advice found by wandering around the grounds.
Other garden accessories and equipment were also on display with several sculptors exhibiting work and stalls set up with tools, gloves, hats, plant labels on so on.
While local honey and preserves producers plied their trade, a special attraction was the children form Nimmitabel Public School who are in the throes of fund-raising for a Year 5/6 trip to china in October. Entrepreneurs in the making, they set up a plant crèche where, for a small donation, visitors could leave their purchases for later collection.
According to Garden Club spokesperson Lainie Lawson, the event was a great success.
“We’re thrilled with the roll up of people and they all seem to have had a fine time,” she said.
“It’s been great to see so many people who enjoy the whole business of gardening and sharing their knowledge and experience.”