By Callum Ludwig
The Upper Yarra Valley Garden Club (UYVGC) is set to host its first Open Weekend post-Covid on Melbourne Cup weekend.
Six local gardens will be on display on 4 and 5 November, with the club hopeful for a favourable weather forecast to help their spring showcases shine.
Former UYVGC President Kevin Hince, who stood down from the role this year having held many in the club for over 20 years, said the whole club is getting behind it.
“I don’t think it will be too different from previous editions, but hopefully with some good weather and it being Cup weekend, we just hope we’ll get a few people up here to have a look,” he said.
“There are only two gardens that have been in an Open Weekend, which leaves four new ones for people to see.”
The UYVGC was established in 1984 and currently has about 120 members.
Mr Hince said UYVGC’s Open Weekend is one of many around the state coming up.
“There’s a lot of them happening between now and the end of November, including in Yea, Alexandra and some inner-city ones as well, as soon as ours is over, I’m going up to Yea to see what they’re doing,” he said.
“A lot of people make a weekend of it and go out to various open garden activities, so we hope there are a few holiday-makers in the area especially with the Open Studios exhibition also over that weekend.”
Gardens will be open from 10am to last entry at 4.30pm both days, with entry passes available at all of them. Visitors can follow the signs from Yarra Junction to East Warburton which will lead them to all gardens.
Single garden passes are $5 or $25 for access to all. Children under 16 enter for free.
Mr Hince said gardens in the Upper Yarra tend to be a bit greener than other areas.
“We have more a cold and wet weather type of woodland garden compared to somewhere like Yea which is more open though they do put up some nice gardens up there, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“[Despite the drier weather] Our gardens seem to be surviving because up here we get a little bit more rain than most people and the ground is still holding moisture so they are looking pretty good at the moment.”
Mr Hince and his neighbour’s garden on Old Warburton Road are set to feature as part of the Open Weekend, including a sausage sizzle, plant sale and cups of tea on offer.
