Scarsdale gardener Kylie Rose Blake, who has transformed her backyard through the innovative use of up-cycling, said that her garden improves the mood of those who visit.

“People say that walking around this garden puts a smile on their face and makes them feel good,” she said.

A growing body of research suggests that being around gardens and the act of gardening itself can improve people’s physical and mental health.

University of Westminster researcher Carly Wood wrote in a recent report that the contact with nature that comes from spending time in gardens can potentially improve people’s mood, enhance concentration and even reduce stress and the symptoms of depression.

“ Asking gardeners about their mood before and after a session on their allotment, participants in our survey reported gardening improved self-esteem and reduced feelings of tension, depression and anger,” Dr Wood wrote.

Which is all the more reason for gardening and design enthusiasts in Ballarat to flock to the three gardens that are open to the public this weekend as part of the statewide Garden Designfest and look for inspiration.

It’s the first time that Ballarat gardens have been included in the festival, which has been running for seven years, and Ms Blake says it’s about time.

“Ballarat has some of the most amazing, beautiful, diverse gardens anywhere in the state so it’s great that’s being recognised,” she said.

Ms Blake is a little nervous and a little excited about gardening enthusiasts exploring her garden but said visitors will get a lot out of it.

“It’s full of ideas; and they’re attainable ideas, stuff everyday people can do,” she said.

While Ms Blake’s garden has been open to the public before, even appearing on Better Homes and Gardens, the two other gardens involved have only been completed recently.

Ballarat designer Paddy Milne, “The Scape Artist”, is looking forward to showing off his birdlife-friendly design for a Ballarat North house, which replaced an aging swimming pool.

“I just hope the weather holds out for us,” he said.

“The weekend just gone wasn’t ideal for people getting out and about looking at gardens, but if the sun’s shining people will be there I hope, so that will be great.”

Garden Designfest is organised by The Rotary Clubs of Kew, Brighton North and Central Melbourne and this year it will help raise money for Monash Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Sporting Chance cancer foundation.

Melbourne designer Richard Bellemo – who has this year designed an elaborate garden linking a traditional homestead with native plants west of Ballarat – has been involved with Designfest since it’s inception and said it is rewarding contributing to a good cause.

“It’s great to be a part of that,” he said.

“It’s also great for plant enthusiasts and so people can talk to us and come to us with their own ideas for projects and learn how to implement them.”

The three gardens will be open to the public and putting smiles on people’s faces from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday and designers and owners will be on hand to answer questions.

More information: http://gardendesignfest.com.au/