Open garden: Waterford Park Retirement Village resident Elizabeth Walgers will show off her garden to her neighbours. Picture: Rob Carew
RESIDENTS at a Knox retirement village will share their secret gardening tips with each other next weekend.
Green thumbs at the Waterford Park Retirement Village have been busily preparing their gardens for the second annual Open Rear Garden Day.
Co-ordinator David Teasdale said it was a great social day for the Knoxfield retirees. "We'll take an afternoon stroll, have a couple of refreshments along the way and look at the gardens."
Twelve residents will open their gardens to inspire their neighbours, particularly ones who have just moved in.
For many, moving into a retirement village means downsizing their gardens and learning new ways to maximise the green space. "We use our walls, put ornaments up, perhaps some paintings and install waterfeatures," Mr Teasdale said.
He said water features were extremely popular in the village and most units now came with water tanks installed, with the generous rainfall this season ensuring the gardens were looking their best.
"The roses are doing quite well — they'll be looking good for the open gardens. The trees are also just getting their new leaves."
There will also be plenty of flowers like irises and orchids on show, plus trees and vegie patches to admire.
And while Mr Teasdale's garden won't be on display this year — he wants to let others have a turn — he's already carefully tending to his garden for next year's event.