Keeping up with tradition
Gardeners’ 27th year in Chronicle competition
TOOWOOMBA gardeners Bob and Val Ford’s entry in this year’s The Chronicle Garden Competition will be the 27th time the couple has entered.
No matter what the competition has brought the couple each year, it’s the people who come to visit their garden during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and even the cheeky ones who just drive by who keep the Fords eager to enter.
Mr Ford said everyone was most welcome to come and walk through any time.
His love of gardening came from helping his mother in the garden as a young boy. He enjoys the creative outlet it provides.
“Mentally, when you’re out in the garden, it’s freeing. You’re the boss in your garden,” Mr Ford said.
The Fords have always had a garden wherever they’ve lived.
Mrs Ford said gardens were welcoming and homely.
The Fords started their garden after they built their current house in Burke St in 1966.
The garden began with very straight edges and bright red concrete when they first entered The Chronicle Garden Competition in 1991.
The couple has changed their garden each year into the beautifully floral festivity it is today.
The couple has worked very hard to maintain the garden from the cold, dry windy weather.
The work involved includes de-budding the flowers at the right time and covering their cinerarias with hessian bags to keep them safe from frosts.
Mr Ford also kept up his secret two-and-a-half hour special lawn treatment to ensure the lawn will be greener on his side of the fence.
The couple said they were happy with their preparations for the 69th The Chronicle Garden Competition this year.
Judging for the competition starts on Friday, September 7.
The Chronicle Garden Competition’s major sponsors are Heritage Bank, Toowoomba Regional Council and University of Southern Queensland.
‘‘ MENTALLY, WHEN YOU’RE OUT IN THE GARDEN, IT’S FREEING. YOU’RE THE BOSS IN YOUR GARDEN. BOB FORD