Not even the threat of rain could dampen the spirits of keen garden enthusiasts who turned out in impressive numbers for the annual Narrandera Town and Country Open Garden Day on Sunday 26 October.

Six beautiful gardens opened, offering a feast of colour, creativity and inspiration.

Many visitors began their day at the huge Plant Stall, where a wide variety of plants and garden related products were available for purchase, before enjoying a delicious Devonshire Tea served by the tireless Can Assist volunteers.

A visit to The Shady Gum Nursery proved very popular, taking advantage of the generous 25 per cent discount to attendees on the day.

The town gardens, owned by Jess and Scott Robertson, Stephanie Rowe, Janelle and Drew Vidler, Jenny and Noel Osmond and Darryl Nielsen each offered their own unique style, from romantic cottage-style gardens to mass plantings of grasses, quirky features and sustainable gardening practices.

From there, garden lovers headed out of town to ‘Burnside’, where they could wander the expansive garden and lawn areas, browse market stalls and listen to the enchanting sounds of local harpist, Hilary Manning.

A delicious lunch catered by CWA was enjoyed while attendees listened to three engaging guest speakers, who shared their knowledge and skills in Rose Care, Propagation and Grafting.

The much-anticipated raffle was drawn later in the day with prizes going to Tegan Matthews ($500 plant voucher – The Shady Gum Nursery), Deb Whillans (Gardeners Pack – Gunn’s Mitre 10 and Seasol), Dulcie O’Callaghan ($160 Merry People Voucher – Go Farm), Shane Wilson (3 x Garden Designs Books – Glenice Buck Garden Designs), Jo Simpson (Artwork – Ivy and Duck Art) and Jenny Osmond (Grazing Board and bowls – ITS-In The Shed).

Major sponsors, Bendigo Bank, ProTen, Hutchins Bros. Engineering, Manildra, Searles, McGrath Wormtech, The Shady Gum Nursery and Gunn’s Mitre 10, along with other businesses who donated raffle prizes, all generously lent their support to the event.

Organisers would like to thank the garden owners, attendees, volunteers and anyone else who assisted in creating a wonderful event in support of Can Assist Narrandera.