National Gardening Week always starts on Sunday the first week of October.

This year National Gardening Week commences on Sunday the 12th of October.

In 2017 with George Hoad as president the Garden Clubs of Australia Incorporated being the premier organisation for garden clubs, launched the “Inaugural Australian National Gardening Week”.

Since 2017 this event has been celebrated every year throughout Australia by many garden clubs, schools, retirement villages and various organisations.

We can celebrate this Week by simply planting a tree or visiting a nursery or a park or a friend’s garden or why not join the Young Garden Inc or the Cherry Blossom Garden Club Inc.

Both are affiliated with the Garden Clubs of Australia Inc., whose motto is “Friendship Through Gardens”.

It is a splendid time of the year.

The bees are busy collecting nectar and beautiful butterflies flying from one plant to another.

Newly hatched Blue Wrens add an interesting effect.

The trees are flowering, the perfume of roses and salvias and lilacs to name a few is in the air, Tulips, Iris, Daffodils, snow drops bluebells and stunning Camellias and Orchids to mention a few mixed with leaves of different shades of green, is certainly worth celebrating.

Let us all feel the joy of gardening and be aware of its benefit on health and the environment

Last year 89 members from Clubs of the South West NSW Zone celebrated National Gardening Week by gathering at “Clifton House and Gardens” to enjoy walking in the gardens, a delicious lunch and friendship.

Plants were available for sale and a raffle of many prizes was conducted.

The Director of Zones NSW and ACT / Garden Clubs of Australia Inc was the guest speaker.

HELENIE CARMODY