To ensure you have the best day possible at Ellerslie it pays to think carefully about how you can make the most of your day out. Don’t panic if you have not purchased tickets yet, you can buy them on the day at the gate

Tips for show success

Sensible shoes
My middle name could be Imelda with the amount of shoes I have. Sadly Ellerslie is not a place I take my precious sparkly, stilettos or satin cocktail shoes. In some areas the ground may be bare of grass and could become a little dusty or if it rains (which is won’t) muddy. Save your favourite new shoes for another day and pack your tried and true sensible ones – shoes that is!

Camera
Check your camera batteries are charged and ready to go and that you have plenty of room on your memory stick. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of time people can waste deleting images whilst at an event.

Patience
Pack a small amount of patience, even with all the improvements of this year’s event with the bigger marquees, more food outlets. More seating and wider paths you will still need to pack a little patience. Mostly just so you can maximise the pleasure and the ambiance of the show. Allow yourself plenty of time, the show opens at 10am and closes at 7pm. Afternoon is the quieter time of the show with afternoon tickets available from 3pm.

Wallet
Don’t leave it at home! You will be disappointed if you do. I have had my eye on some delightful wooden toys and an abundance of plant material and a lovely range of jewellery. Grab a bargain, bring a large handbag or back pack. A huge numbers of retail stalls have special show week offers. Last year I came home with seeds, plant ties, wonder weeders and heaps more. This year Natures Curator have a brilliant offer, simply bring in an empty bottle of Nature's Curator to stand CR5E and they will give you a FREE 500ml Ready-to-use trigger spray, to thank you for being a Nature's Curator gardener. $1000 of Gardening NZ garden gifts has to be won at the Terra Viva stand, visit them for an entry form. Enter as often as you like. Free copies of Tui Times and Go Gardening will also be distributed around the show. The list goes on and on, make the most of the gardening goodies!

Lastly it’s all about you; pack sunscreen, water, friends and maybe a brolly are the last essentials you will need. Let the show begin!