Port couple’s garden set to inspire during trail

A PORTARLINGTON couple meeting the challenges of gardening in a small space will open their property to the public next weekend.

Diane and Rob Kolomeitz’s home in Drysdale Street will be part of the Port Arts Network’s Portarlington Art and Garden Trail on October 22.

Originally from Queensland, Diane and Rob bought their new townhouse in Portarlington about nine months ago and are experimenting with what will grow in pots and on fences in Victorian climate.

“We brought some tropical plants from Queensland, which we had to experiment with to see how they would go in this climate,” Diane said.

“We also got some ferns, we put creepers in and lattice up, and we have a variety of edible plants up the back the house, like peas, lettuce, passion fruit, chilis and tomatoes.”

Rob said he and Diane were surrounded by greenery at their home in Queensland, so wanted their Portarlington house to replicate that, but on a smaller scale.

With 17 venues on the trail there will be something to interest all those who enjoy seeing how others have designed their gardens to suit their needs.

Maps for the trail are now available at Port Plants behind the Bendigo Bank in Harding Street, at the Portarlington Neighbourhood House in Brown Street and at the Portarlington Information Centre.

They can also be downloaded at portarlingtontourism.com.au.

Enjoy this event from 10am to 4pm as part of the Geelong Seniors Festival.

While it is a free event, a gold coin donation at any one of the venues would be greatly appreciated – all funds go towards the printing costs of the brochures.

For more information email [email protected] or call 5259 1593.