FAQ’s for Garden Hosts
Opening your garden as a host is a truly rewarding experience. All gardeners love to learn and compare results – this is your chance to connect with like minded local folk and exchange tips and tricks!
How do I register my garden for the trail day?
Please complete this short form to tell us a bit more about your place – we’d love to hear from you!
What do you expect from Garden Hosts?
We expect that hosts will be ready to welcome visitors for part of or the whole Trail Day (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM). We ask that you will be available to chat with visitors, answering questions and swapping tips and advice. If you would like to run a demonstration of a certain technique or process, or run tours of your space, you are more than welcome to, please let the organisers know so that we can provide this information in the Trail Program.
We do not expect you to provide toilet facilities or food and drinks for visitors.
Each garden will be provided with signage and a small sign-in table. If you have a willing partner or neighbour who could sit at the sign-in table and tick off visitors as they arrive please let us know, otherwise we will arrange someone for you. We don’t expect Garden Hosts to be handling the sign-in logistics.
Visitors are asked to refrain from taking produce, flowers or plant material from your garden however it will be up to your discretion if they approach you with a request.
Does my garden have to be perfect?
Absolutely not! We are not showcasing manicured ornamental gardens, just please ensure walkways are clear. Late summer is a busy time for gardeners but a layer of mulch does wonders to brighten the beds if you’re so inclined. If you require OFF LIMITS signage for sheds or other areas, we can arrange these for you.
Do I have to label all plants?
No we’re not expecting you to but feel free to do so. Some Garden Hosts have mentioned providing a rough site map for visitors, others will prefer to answer questions as they arise on the day.
I’d like to be a Garden Host but want to see the other gardens too
Don’t worry – us too! We’ve thought of this and will be organising a separate Hosts Only tour for the first weekend in March – a week before the trail day so we can all experience each other’s spaces too.
Will my address be listed online?
No. Your address will be made available to registered attendees one week prior to the event. This will be shared via email and won’t be promoted online.
Do I need to provide toilet facilities?
No. The closest public toilets will be noted in the Trail Program. There is no reason for any visitors to enter your home.
How will I know who is registered?
A printed list of all registered visitors will be provided to each Garden Host the day of the event. Your Welcome Volunteer will check the list and tick off names before visitors enter your property, if their name is not listed they will be refused entry.
What about parking?
Tickets to this event will be limited, however we ask that you offer suggestions for street parking near your property. We can also provide you with flyers to drop into neighbour’s letterboxes to give them a friendly heads-up before the day.
If you can’t find an answer here, please contact us at ediblegardentrail@sunburyhouse.com.au