Community & Business
23 September, 2022
Merv and Alma best in field
Pittsworth is abloom with open gardens, busloads of visitors and a beautiful bouquet of awards plucked up at the region’s annual garden competition presentation.
Among them, Merv and Alma Fowler picked up the award for Best Productive Garden and finished second in two categories and third in another.
Their spectacular Bowden Street garden is a classic country affair brimming with colour and a huge vegetable patch, but you might also notice a multitude of small birds including darting little fairy wrens.
The scent of sweet peas is unmistakable in one section, then jasmine in another, and stocks in yet another.
And all the while, a sea of ranunculi and poppies bob their heads in the breeze.
Merv’s massive drum head cabbages are a sight to behold as are Alma’s patches of Livingstone Daisies and a greenhouse full of giant cycads and King Orchids.
Their garden will be open daily until September 24.
The Fowlers said they enjoy sharing their garden with the public and never stop learning from their chats with visitors.
“This past week has seen visitors from everywhere to Pittsworth to see our prize winning gardens,” says Penny McKinlay, who also has her garden and nurseries open.
She said there had been buses from Newcastle, Jandowae, the North Coast and Brisbane and car loads from far and wide.
“It was heartwarming to sit in the audience of the garden presentation last week at the City Golf Club and hear Pittsworth called out again and again as prize winners,” Penny said.
“There were five entries from Pittsworth, one from Oakey, two from Crows Nest and our five must have brought home at least 12 awards.
“They are indeed a marvellous lot.
“We are becoming known as a garden town and isn’t that great.
“Now this stands us in very good stead for both our Craft and Fine Foods Spectacular (October 7-8) and also for Showcasing Pittsworth in mid-April next year.
“Let’s see if we can have Pittsworth a sea of colour... main streets, parks, footpaths, town pots, and private gardens.
“The Gardens of the Downs are here to help if needed,” she said.
For more gardens and garden inspiration, see Pages 4-5 and Garden Club Clippings on Page 8.
