November Garden News 2011

November is of course our busiest and biggest month as we open our garden for two days to garden lovers through ‘Australia’s Open Gardens’.

This year was our 10^th opening.

The weather was not kind to us this year as we have had no rain and very hot temperatures for almost four weeks leading up to the opening, in fact it has been the driest November since records began.

We just watered and watered almost using our 107,000 litre storage, amazingly the garden actually looked very good and colourful.

The highlights were the Caladium and Day Lily showing. See Caladium video. http://youtu.be/2C6z8HOiAuE

We had some very good publicity leading up to the opening especially from the Brisbane
'Courier Mail', a three page spread, that’s unheard of.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/whatson/ian-and-judy-wintles-giving-garden-open-to-public-this-weekend-in-birkdale/story-fn8zvh1s-1226197878376

Family and friends start to arrive early to help us during the two days, without this help we could not do it.

The Saturday of the opening was hectic with people ready to come through the gate at 8.30am, these were the plant lovers who know Judy has some rare and well looked after plants for sale.

We also had two busloads arrive, one from Bribie and another from Bundaberg.

The caterer’s did a great job and all Saturday it was hard to find an unoccupied space.

Sunday was also a good day but steady throughout the day.

Overall we received more than 1000 visitors (a record attendance), all of whom enjoyed the garden, with nothing stolen and no damage to the garden.

The caterers made almost $2000 for their Church and the raffle raised $1200 for disabled sport.

We will do it once more and then have a break as it is so much hard work getting ready, then cleaning up.
We will still take bus tours through the garden and by appointment.

After the cleanup we head up the coast for a three day break at Mooloolaba, what do we do?

We visit our garden friends and come home with a car loaded with new plants.

The hot weather continued throughout November and the garden is looking dry and stressed, hopefully it will rain soon.