Australia's Open Garden Scheme

Victoria Special Events

As well as our extensive and exciting program of open gardens, which can be found here, Australia's Open Garden Scheme also has an exciting range of Special Events throughout the year.

Some events require pre-booking and as numbers are strictly limited we urge you to book well ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

Cruden Farm
Langwarrin

Sunday 29 August
(No bookings required)

Cruden Farm is possibly the most famous garden in Australia and the lifetime achievement of national treasure Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

Dame Elisabeth, who came to Cruden Farm as a young bride 80 years ago, designed and planted the renowned herbaceous borders, picking garden, shrub walks and tree-shaded lawns at the heart of her sublime garden, skilfully blended with the surrounding countryside. Thousands of daffodils by the lake in spring, roses and perennials in summer, and one of Australia's most famous avenues all contribute to a place of rare beauty.

Address: Entry is from Cranhaven Rd, Langwarrin.
Directions: Melway 103:G5
Open: 10am-4.30pm. $12 adults, no charge children under 18. No bookings required for this event.
Information: Refreshments will be available, or you are welcome to bring a picnic.
Please note that dogs are not permitted.

Information for bus groups: To ensure access for your bus, pre-booking is required.
A 10% discount for bus groups is available if booked and paid for prior to Friday 13 August.
Bus bookings to: Cassie Johnstone on (03) 9537 3890.

Stephen Ryan in His Garden
Olinda

Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 September 2010.
Tuesday: 1.30pm-4pm
Wednesday: 9.30am-noon

Booking details:
Bookings are essential for these events as places are very limited.

Tickets $60.00 includes morning or afternoon tea.

You can book online via our secure site here or phone (03) 9537 3890 during business hours.

Ebullient and amusing, the host of ABC TV's Gardening Australia Stephen Ryan is a knowledgeable and infectiously enthusiastic plantsman.

His garden, which has been created in sclerophyll forest without topsoil, is a treasury of both rare and more common plants in unconventional groupings.

Stephen will discuss his philosophy on gardening and design, including how to select the most interesting and appropriate plants. He will also talk about how to tackle the ongoing assessment of a garden - the challenges of managing the inevitable failures as well as the joys of success.

Traditional Productive Gardening, with Mark Dymiotis
Hampton

Wednesday 27 October 2010 & Wednesday 30 March 2011
9.30am-noon

Booking details:
Bookings are essential for these events as places are very limited.

Tickets $60.00 includes morning tea.

You can book online via our secure site here or phone (03) 9537 3890 during business hours.

Mark Dymiotis' life is devoted to Mediterranean-style home-grown food and his standard-size garden supplies an enviable array of edibles.

Join Mark to learn traditional hands-on practices that have stood the test of time and are still carried out in suburban backyards.

With plenty of useful tips and practical suggestions along the way, seasonal and general topics will include soil preparation, green manure crops, compost, planting, plant care, staking, harvesting, hilling up and watering, including by gravity-watering from his tanks.

Wednesday 27 October 2010: Preparing for summer

Wednesday 30 March 2011: Preparing for winter

Tickets for the pre-booked events to be held during 2011 will be released in early October, please check back then