Waikanae gardens at their best for trail

TRANQUIL: John and Linda Todd in their Maple Lane garden.

The Waikanae Lions Super Spring Garden Trail takes place this weekend.

A total of 13 gardens will be on show, including John and Linda Todd's garden in Maple Lane.

The couple have been busy getting the garden in shape, including a major weeding about two months ago as well as the planting of annuals and perennials which would be in their prime during the trail.

A Japanese crab apple is just about ready to burst into colour and a host of roses too.

"It is just staying on top of things," said Linda, who broke her shoulder recently.

The couple, who spend about half a day in the garden each week, are happy the garden trail date has been changed from January to November.

Garden conditions were good, people wouldn't have to spend a lot of money watering if they didn't have bores, and it wasn't too hot.

"The gardens always look so much better at this time of the year," said John, who is a keen vegetable gardener too.

GREEN: John and Linda Todd's prolific vegetable garden.

"There's still going to be a lot of blossom about which will be great."

It is the couple's second time they've featured their garden in the trail.

"It was a huge learning curve back in about 2006," Linda said.

"We planted things and they came on and then died 10 minutes before we were due to open the gates.

"We've learnt what to have and what not to have.

"But our last experience was amazing.

"The feedback you get from people who come around is so positive.

"People just love the fact you've allowed them to walk around your garden."

The trail, which includes food and refreshments venues at 42 Ngarara Rd as well as Waikanae Bowling Club, where award-winning garden designer Ben Hoyle, and garden transformers Bayley Luu Tomes and Leon Kluge, are guest speakers, goes from 10am to 5pm both days.

Tickets costs $20 adult per day with children under 15 free.

Tickets are on sale from a kiosk on Te Moana Rd and Koromiko Rd [during the trail], Harrisons Gardenworld in Peka Peka, Gus Evans Nurseries in Waikanae, Paraparaumu iSite.

Proceeds from the garden trail will go to the Zeal Youth Centre in Paraparaumu as well as the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in Wellington.