Plots are blooming marvellous ahead of garden show

With little less than three weeks to go before the inaugural Benoni North Open Gardens tour, green-thumbed homeowners are whispering sweet nothings as they tend to their blooms in anticipation of welcoming city-slickers to their slice of heaven.

On November 4 and 5, the gates to seven picturesque agricultural holdings will be open for the public to view and enjoy.

Nestled among rolling grasslands, a mere 15km drive from Farrarmere, lies Tracy Fourie’s garden, which boasts nearly 100 rose bushes.

Strolling among the aromatic blooms, you might feel like you have fallen down the rabbit hole and landed in the middle of the Queen of Heart’s garden.

Described as rosy and wild, Fourie says her garden’s layout was not built on structure but rather her love of having a colourful oasis where the scent of the flowers calms the soul.

“We have lived here for the past eight years, and I must admit that the rose bush planted by the original owners in the 1970s stole my heart,” she said as she gently caressed one of its flowers.

“I guess I just added to its beauty by surrounding it with more buds.”

The tour, which is the first of its kind in Marister, is being held in aid of HELM, a community-driven initiative instrumental in co-ordinating fire-fighting efforts, crime prevention patrols as well as attending to municipal service delivery emergencies such as burst water pipes, cable theft and power outages throughout the area.

The funds raised during the weekend will be used to acquire personal protective equipment and upgrade equipment used by the 65 active volunteers, ensuring the safety and security of their community.

“HELM is an integral part of our community, with its members selflessly sacrificing their time to support us,” said Lynette Hartzenberg, one of the participants in the tour.”

For the past 20 years, Hartzenberg has spent her free time toiling in the soil, giving life to a garden filled with towering trees, colourful flowers and a kiddies’ play area.

“When I am working in my garden it feels like I am planting love,” she said.

“I look forward to sharing my experience with visitors, especially those wanting to delve into the world of growing their own organic vegetables.

“I hope those entering our gates will not only appreciate the diversity of our gardens but that they are inspired to create their own floral haven, regardless of its size.”

With gates to the various gardens opening at 09:00 to 16:00, urbanites are invited to leave the worries of the rat race behind as they use the opportunity to unwind, ground their feet on the lush lawns and breathe.

Tickets are R60 per person and can be purchased at www.benoninorthopengardens.co.za or at any participating gardens on the day.

The event is for humans only and visitors are kindly requested to leave their fur babies at home.

The Yard will host the event’s tea garden, where visitors can sit back, relax and enjoy live entertainment.

The revenue from cakes sold at the venue will be added to the HELM fund.

The entrance to the tour will be on Ninth and Kiaat streets, with signage steering visitors to the open gardens.

Raffle tickets will also be on sale to put you in line to win spectacular prizes.

For more information, call Glynnis Wilson on 071 608 6875 or Janet Knight on 083 705 602.

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