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National Gardens Scheme of England & Wales

© Graham Leatherbarrow

Another gardening season has started. I don't know about you, but I always get that thrill when a new gardening year begins. We have such high hopes and expectations, watching newly planted shrubs and perennials develop. A new gardening year here in England also means another opportunity to visit thousands of privately owned gardens that open each season under the National Gardens Scheme of England & Wales.

The NGS started life way back in 1927. The aim of this charity is to raise money for various charities by opening gardens to the public. Private garden owners open up their gardens on specific days or by appointment, the money is raised by entry charges and the sale of teas and plants. With over 3,500 gardens within the Scheme at the latest count, there are a huge variety of gardens to choose from. In 1997, the NGS raised over 1.3million UK pounds for the charity.

Visiting gardens in the NGS can be an all-consuming hobby during the summer months; there is so much to see and so little time! Apart from the sheer enjoyment of visiting these gardens, absorbing all the colours and scents, eating home-made cakes and drinking endless cups of tea, and buying plants at the plant stall, there is also an opportunity to gather a wealth of ideas, and to learn a great deal. It pays to take a notepad and pen on these visits. Seeing plants that you grow yourself in different situations, aspects and growing conditions, new plants that you have never even heard of before, make it an adventure to remember. It will not be long before you are furiously writing away, hoping to transfer this new found knowledge back to your garden. The garden owner is usually on hand, offering tips and advice. All this makes for a very pleasant afternoon amongst people with whom you share a passion. So, what kind of gardens are included in the Scheme? The short answer is, every garden you could possibly imagine. Large estate-like gardens, tiny town gardens, informal gardens, cottage gardens, herb gardens, gardens in the Japanese style, even a cut-flower garden. Some gardens in the same area, or even in the same street open together. Your entrance fee giving entry to all the gardens. Starting at No.2, then on to No.4 and finally No.6.

Being one of these garden openers, I can also see it from another angle. It was during a hot lazy summer afternoon in 1992, that a friend of mine suggested I had a go at opening my garden through the NGS. I have to admit at first I thought, "you must be joking!" "This garden in the National Gardens Scheme!" "Don't be daft!" A few weeks later I was showing the Cheshire County Organiser around the garden, like some proud parent. To my astonishment, he thought the garden was good enough and different enough to be included. I am now entering my seventh season of opening my garden to the great British public.

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