Meetings are held each month, except January, and mostly comprise of visits to local gardens or bus trips to surrounding areas.

In recent months we have also learnt how to graft apple trees, prune roses, and seen photos of a member’s trip to the Chelsea Flower Show.

New members are always welcome.

This month the club is off to view the spring floral displays at Floriade and Tulip Top Gardens at Sutton on Thursday, September 21.

Floriade is celebrating its 30^th year of flowering.

A million spring flowers in bloom will highlight the theme of ‘Rejuvenation’.

As part of our visit, we have been fortunate to arrange for the group to meet with the head gardener, Andrew Forster, to hear about his experiences and the challenges of putting on a month-long floral festival.

Along with the fabulous flowers, there are many stalls featuring gardening supplies and refreshments.

The group will lunch at Floriade before heading to the Tulip Top Gardens.

This amazing garden features 10 acres of flowering trees, bulbs and annuals, all in a natural setting.

Here there will be a chance to also explore the gift shop and plant nursery.

It will be a day filled with the delights of spring.

The group will meet at Ryrie Park at 8.45am and return to Braidwood at approximately 5.30pm.

The cost for club members is $44 (bus cost is $30, Floriade is free, and Tulip Top Gardens is $14 per person).

Non-members are most welcome at a cost of $64, but please call Jane Moore on 4842 1494 to reserve your place.

The following month, on October 14, we are planning a trip to visit three historic homes and their gardens in Goulburn.