Gardeners looking for inspiration or to experience the diversity of Bathurst gardens are welcome to the 2023 Bathurst Gardeners’ Club Spring Spectacular to be held on the last weekend of October, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October 2023. The gardens range from suburban gardens to large sprawling country gardens, catering for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Amongst the ten (10) beautiful gardens to open to the public over the weekend will be 3 Veg Farm which was first conceived in 2020 with the purchase of 3.5 acres of neglected abused industrial land on the edge of town, wedged between the Western railway line and Hawthornden Creek. At the heart of the block is the permaculture market garden with sales of chemical free vegetables to the Bathurst community via website, farmgate, restaurant wholesale and Bathurst Farmers Markets.
Banks of native plantings all around the garden encourages a holistic system of natural pest control by attracting predators such as birds and insects, while also working as a wind break and frost mitigation. A composting system recycles all the plant material and “scavenged” resources helping to build the microbiology of the soil for healthier plants more resistant to insect attack.
Over 1000 native trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted with more going in all the time, including an acacia woodlot behind the cottage; small shrubs in front of cottage for bird watching; an open box woodland in the circular drive; a forest on the north/east slope and continuous plantings to slowly replace the blackberries, privet and poplars along the creek banks.
All the building and fence structures at 3 Veg Farm have been constructed using recycled and reclaimed materials, including corrugated iron salvaged from behind 20+ backyard sheds around town, railway sleepers and pylons from the now dismantled old Eglinton bridge.
3 Veg Farm was filmed and aired on Better Homes and Gardens in June 2023.
The ever-popular Monster Plant Stall will take place in the park adjacent to the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre on Saturday 28th October only between 9.00am until 4.30pm.
Local musicians and students of the Mitchell Conservatorium of Music will perform in some gardens and refreshments will also be available in some gardens. There may even be the occasional stall in a garden or two.
Tickets are available now for $25.00 per person from https://bathurstgardenclub.org.au/bathurst-spring-spectacular, the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre leading up to the event and from all gardens on the event weekend. All money raised from the Spring Spectacular will be donated to local charities.
For more information on supported local charities and a list of sponsors check the Bathurst Gardeners’ Club Spring Spectacular website at: https://bathurstgardenclub.org.au/bathurst-spring-spectacular/. Stay up to date with the latest news by following Bathurst Spring Spectacular on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BathurstSpringSpectacular.
2023 Bathurst Gardeners’ Club Spring Spectacular the last weekend in October 28-29 October to enjoy the open gardens.
