WITH the increasingly warm weather you\u2019d be hard-pressed to think it wasn\u2019t almost spring; just in time for the Bendigo Flower Show in September.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Plant Society has been running the event since 1974, when a group of people came together to share their knowledge and love for native Australian plants.<\/p>\n
Secretary for the group Sandy Birch said interest in the display of plants, books and other related items is becoming increasingly popular each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year there was a queue half-an-hour before the show opened, so we just opened early,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf particular interest to the very early people is getting in to get the best of the books and the best plants.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything relates to Australian plants in some way, so there\u2019ll be gardening, talking about touring the bush, birds, butterflies, things about the soil.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll be books about those topics; what eats them, what helps them grow, etcetera.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny topic you can think of that relates to growing Australian plants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Birch said of note for aspiring gardeners is this year many plants are likely to flower earlier than usual, in September rather than in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith all the rain we\u2019ve had last year it\u2019s changed the soil\u2019s interaction with the plants,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it\u2019s wetter, the plants are happier to use the water and grow more and flower more.\u201d<\/p>\n