From weedy paddock to Open Garden in four years

“Lower Woontooba” owners Louise and Jeff Tasker. The Queenslander was moved onsite in 1996 from Spring Hill.

When they came to Montville four years ago there was nothing on their land but weedy grass. 

Now, Louise and Jeff Tasker’s “Lower Woontooba” at 238 Western Avenue is one of the feature properties in this year’s Easter Open Garden Festival in Montville.

“Our’s is a very young garden,” said Jeff. “When we came here there was nothing here ... six avocado trees and about a dozen other trees dotted around, and it was covered in tough paspalum grass full of weeds. That’s been sorted by endless mowing and mowing and a spot of spraying.  We haven’t the luxury of big trees. It will take another five years or so for them to grow.”

Louise said Lower Woontooba’s style was based on one of the most famous gardens in England. 

“When we lived in the UK we fell in love with a garden called Sissinghurst,” said Louise. “Sissinghurst Castle Garden was created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson. 

“They were famous for making ‘rooms’ in their garden. But their whole house was shabby chic. She loved this idea of every space being filled with a little plant. She was famous for the white garden and also created a hot garden. 

“We’ve got five acres of garden space with another five of remnant forest,” said Jeff.

“We have borrowed from the idea of having a long border with plants each side of the stone pathway leading into the white garden.

“But we’re not too precious. If something comes up and it’s yellow, we’re all for ‘live and let live’. 

“We also have what we call our sunset garden because it features the colours orange, red and yellow. And it leads on to a viewing deck.”

The property also features Louise’s artist’s studio for writing and drawing. She has just published her first children’s book, “Sugar Plum and the Christmas Tale”.

The Queenslander house was moved onsite in 1996 from Spring Hill. “It’s a 1925 home, we believe,” said Louise.  

The Easter Open Garden Festival will feature three diverse Montville gardens and raise money for charity. 

Gardens include:

• Kyleigh and Michael Simpson’s “The Shambles” at 85 Western Avenue Montville; 

• Louise and Jeff Tasker’s “Lower Woontooba” at 238 Western Avenue Montville; and 

• Rowena Cavanagh’s “Wongawilli” at 19 Manley Drive Montville.

A plant stall and refreshments will be offered at The Shambles; there will also be a plant stall at Lower Woontooba.  The gardens are open on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April from 9am to 4pm. Entry $10 to each garden (cash only please) children free. See  www.montvillegarden.com and www.facebook.com/montvillegarden.