How to grow for show

It takes vigilance, hard work and discipline to prepare a garden for New Zealand’s premier garden event, say seasoned growers.

Garden Marlborough is celebrating 25 years with its annual show from November 8 to 11.

Flic and Will Trollope are opening up their garden in Tuamarina to the public for the first time.

‘‘When I garden, it’s normally just for me, it’s for my pleasure, so I’ve had to be a bit more disciplined and make a point of finishing things.’’

In the weeks leading up there were lots of ‘‘finishing’’ jobs and general tidying up that had to be done, Flic Trollope said.

Gardening was one of those really peaceful and refreshing activities, Trollope said.

‘‘It’s the creativity and it’s being able to make something and watch it grow, you can change it, nothing is set in stone, it’s quite fluid, and it changes through the season.

‘‘It’s very rewarding, you can put something in the ground and watch it grow.’’

Seasoned gardeners Sue and Dave Monahan had opened up their garden Upton Oaks in Garden Marlborough for the past 20 years.

Upton Oaks was a ‘‘high maintenance garden’’ with a formal framework of hedges and walls, Sue Monahan said.

The couple have been in garden tourism for many years and had been ‘‘garden ready’’ since October when they started welcoming guests.

‘‘It’s very much a garden which has evolved.’’

The Stihl Garden Fete would be held at Churchill Glade on November 11 between 9am-3pm.

Tickets are still available for the Saturday night Garden Party at Brinkburn, a private residence on Wratts Rd, Rapaura.