There's a flurry of pruning, staking, lawn mowing and window washing happening across Whangarei today, as some of the district's best gardeners prepare for three days of fame.
They are getting ready for the 20th Whangarei Garden Discovery, an event tipped to attract more than 1000 people who take a self-guided tour through 20 spectacular gardens over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Among those featured is the garden of Parua Bay's Nadine Whitton, who yesterday was "rushing around covered in mud".
"We just love it ... When you're passionate it's lovely to share it," Ms Whitton, whose garden had featured twice before, said.
Ms Whitton gardens before work, after work until sundown, and on the weekend she and her husband put in the big shifts: 7am to 8.30pm.