Consider cracking open the garden gate

There’s no such thing as the perfect garden, reckons green-thumbed Sheila Pitman – especially if it’s your own.

The Motueka woman is encouraging other gardening enthusiasts to take the leap and open their garden gates to the public by being part of the annual Motueka Garden Trail in November.

“When you look around your [own] garden, you see the bad things. The weeds, the plant dying, the clashes.”

Other people just don’t see those things, she says – they see colour, creativity, care.
She reckons it’s a bit like cleaning up before guests arrive.

“The little bit of extra work that you do for that day, you reap the benefits all year.”

Sheila lived at Split Apple for more than 20 years and moved into the Motueka township about two years ago. Both of these properties have featured in the garden trail, with her Sanderlane Drive section showcasing her love of the cottage garden aesthetic.

“If there’s a space, I fill it,” she laughs.

After moving in, she went straight to work in the garden.  She has added more garden beds, created a water feature and is currently relaying the lawn. Come springtime, her garden will tumble with irises, peonies and roses – she has a particular fondness for the heritage varieties with their pungent scents.

The garden trail, which has run for well over a decade, is the Motueka District Toy Library’s annual fundraiser.

Toy librarian Laura Lattimer echoes Sheila’s sentiment that although the quality needs to be high, the committee is more interested in variety and showcasing the garden owners’ enthusiasm.

“It’s not about perfect gardens, but more about sharing the enjoyment and creativity of gardening.”

Laura says she will be visiting any new potential properties, so garden owners can have some assur-ance that their space is suitable.

The committee is aiming for about half the 20-odd gardens on the programme to be new to the trail each year, to give a balance of fresh inspiration and old favourites.

“We are always so grateful to our garden owners – their support enables this to be such a wonderful event on the annual gardening calendar,” Laura says.

This year’s garden trail is set for Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 November. To enquire about taking part, contact [email protected].