Still spectacular, but not in name
that’s what everyone always calls it.’’
Garnett takes over from Leigh GatwardCook and previous manager Lisa Ekdahl. ‘‘I think I have big shoes to fill with my predecessors, but I’m excited because the gardens make you feel good and the people have wonderful stories.’’
The festival, which began in 1987, is also facing a major refresh – but Garnett needs your help. The TAFT-run event is seeking new gardens in a whole bunch of areas, which people may not realise are worthy of being in the festival. ‘‘I’m looking for unique gardens that deserve to be shared, each with a story.’’ These could be gardens for kids, those starring vegetables, herbs or scent. They could be organic, flower-focused, city or rural gardens. They might be formal or cottage gardens or even roof-top spaces. ‘‘To keep this festival alive, we need to have a mixture of our wonderful garden stalwarts, who we couldn’t do without, and new spaces that offer surprises.’’
So, she has a gentle challenge to people. ‘‘We want people to dob in their neighbour, in the nicest possible way, or be brave and put yourself forward.’’
Garnett herself is new to the manager role, but not to the festival. She has helped on the last three. ‘‘What draws me to this festival is the gardeners themselves and the visitors and how everyone has the common ground of a garden making you feel alive.’’
She has taken her children, Oscar and Chilli West, aged 10 and 9, to visit gardens in South Taranaki and they loved the outing.
People keen to enter their gardens in the October 26 to November 4 event, can contact Garnett at TAFT on 06 759 8412 or tetsu@taft.co.nz.