The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming: spring has well and truly sprung. Make the most of the season with the Diggers Club's spring garden party at one of Melbourne's most beautiful open gardens.
Across the first weekend in November the Diggers Club – Australia's largest gardening group – is bringing a host of springtime festivities to the lush St Erth gardens. There will be mini workshops, tours, produce stalls and activities for little green thumbs.
Learn about heirloom varieties and how to drought proof your garden at the mini workshops – they’re free with entry and soil expert Garry Holding will also be around Saturday morning to answer all your dirt questions.
Producers Zig Zag Winery, Beth Shaun Artisan Preserves, Powlett St. Ices and Sunny Honey will be selling their goods on the day, and those looking for a proper feed (or a sit down) can visit the Fork to Fork café to sample their seasonal menu.
Serious gardeners will also be able to book in for a four-hour introduction to permaculture class on the Sunday. Run by Steve Burns, the founding member of the Ballarat Permaculture Guild, the workshop will give budding permaculturists all the basic info they need. Workshops are $89-$99 (including lunch and a glass of wine) and must be booked in advance.
Entry to the spring garden party at St Erth is free for Diggers Club members and children under16, and $10 for non-members. Blackwood is located just over an hour's drive from Melbourne, making it a perfect day trip.