The secrets of the cities most talented green thumbs will be revealed during the Orange Public School open gardens this weekend.
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Eight talented gardeners will open their gates to invite the public in for the second annual school fundraiser.
Garden lovers will have the chance to wander from yard to yard, speaking with those who get their gardens to grow.
OPS students will be stationed around the stops selling cakes and snacks to raise some money and keep garden lovers satiated. There'll be live music and children's activities along the route.
Horticulturist Libby Cameron will lead walking tours for grown ups around the Orange CBD, exploring several city streets while attendees peep over fences.
Organised by the Parent Teacher Association, the event raised more than $20,000 for the school in its inaugural year.
Parent Lindy Kay said money from ticket sales and food sold during the 2019 Open Gardens would likely go towards purchasing water tanks for the Kite Street campus.
VIDEO: Orange Public School student's message ...
Mrs Kay said the bore water now in use at the infants campus had made the children's play space greener and better utilised.
She said it was impossible to choose a favourite garden of the eight, but the Turner's Residence was one to look out for.
"They're all different. Some are newer and some are more established. It's great for anyone who wants to get ideas," she said.
The Garden Hub will be at the Kite Street campus from 8:30-4pm.
Participants are encourage to stop their first to register, pick
up maps, and ask questions.
A barbecue breakfast and coffee cart will be available, as well as plants from a student run sale.
LIST OF PARTICIPATING GARDENS:
- Swift Residence "Carwoola" - Access via 3 Borrodell Drive, Orange 4.4km, 7mins drive from The Hub. Originally a run-down garden situated on a sloping one-acre block, the Swifts for the last five years have been single-handedly designing and creating a formal cool climate estate garden to showcase the original 1920's weatherboard house.
- West Residence - 28 Kite Street, Orange 700m, 9mins walk from The Hub. This established garden has large deciduous trees creating a shady canopy with undergrowth of spring bulbs and hellebores.
- Adams Residence - 16 Kite Street, Orange 850m, 11mins walk from The Hub. As inexperienced gardeners the Adams started their garden 9 years ago with the help of "Caledonian Landscapes" who put together a garden plan that would give them a structured garden with seasonal interest.
- Derham Residence - 96 Warrendine Street, Orange 800m, 10mins walk from The Hub. The garden is 5 years old, having stripped out most of the existing overgrown hedges and dying trees.
- Spanjer Residence - 44 McLachlan Street, Orange 2km, 4mins drive or 24mins walk from The Hub. The garden has evolved over many years from having a private hedge along the driveway, a few bulbs and roses and just one old Camelia tree.
- Barnes Residence - 152 Clergate Road, Orange 4.8km, 8mins drive from The Hub. With a long history on Clergate Road, the Barnes residence sits on land originally 40 acres.
- Turner Residence - 1 Squatters Ridge, Clifton Grove 18.1km, 22mins drive from The Hub. Russell and Diane purchased this 5.5 acre property in 1998. This spectacular garden covers the entire property.
- Davis Residence "Done Good"- 5154 Mitchell Highway , Orange 5.2km, 9mins drive from The Hub. A long meandering driveway through farmland delivers you to this spacious garden with sweeping 360 degree views of the surrounding area.
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Alex Crowe
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
