David and Kaye Laverty moved to The Wattles at Lucyvale near Corryong 48 years ago.

“It was one tree when we came here and has gone through quite an expansion,” Mrs Laverty said.

“My mum was a gardener and used to grow veggies; I added fruit trees first and then the garden took shape around the house.”

From the original small plot in the house yard, the garden now comprised 2 hectares of sprawling lawns, water features, large deciduous trees, roses, camellias, bulbs, perennials, fruit and hazelnut trees and an abundant vegetable garden.

Mrs Laverty said her family had worked on a boathouse and jetty on a duck pond as a birthday gift to her.

“We made a new garden area out the front and the roses have been moved in the past couple of years to a better position,” she said.

“The roses are starting to bud up and the garden is lush and green.”

Mrs Laverty also runs the Stephanie Alexander Garden program at Corryong College two mornings a week.

“The kids learn how to grow veggies and cook what they’ve grown,” she said.

The Wattles at Lucyvale will open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Proceeds go to Corryong College.

Highlights include morning and afternoon tea, music, a treasure hunt for children and a scarecrow competition.

The Wattles, which is at 148 Laverty’s Road, Lucyvale, opens 9am to 5pm both days. Entry is $5 and children/students are free.