open gardens

I was wondering how many of you opened your garden for the NGS. I thought about it, and to get some hints I watched that open gardens on fri evening bbc2(england - not wales) 7.30pm. It was quite interesting, but it's put me off applying. I couldn't stand it if some ngs inspector came round and suggested do this and do that, :eek: get rid of that workshop it's ugly. And hide this and improve that. :confused: I couldn't cope with critiscism to that extent and be told to spend a few bob to bring it up to scratch, just so I could make a few pounds for charity. :rolleyes: I know it's for a good cause and all that. What I want to know is, if anyone does open for the NGS, are the inspections that rigorous?

 

Does your village/town have an open garden scheme - rather than the NGS. You might find that better - or even maybe start a scheme in the community.

The NGS scheme is advertised nationally and therefore as I understand it there are criteria to be met before becoming part of it.

My village has an open garden scheme, and I have been persuaded to join in. No criteria, just be prepared for people wandering round your garden for a 4-5 hours one sunday - in aid of local facilities.

 

I opened my garden for a weekend last year for custs and their friends, and that went well. But where I live, gardening is not top priority, so I am more or less on my own. I think i might open for a day and advertise in the local shops and holiday parks around and then have a charity donation pot. I get folk coming to buy eggs, produce and plants, and i had a WI party round one evening for talk, wander and coffee with cake. So thanks for your help. I will have a go.

 

Sounds a really good idea, the local version, that is. Think I might aim for getting some neighbours interested in that, probably for a year on from now.... Got to be a good thing! Thanks for the ideas everyone!

 

Well now .... a couple of years ago I arranged a day for the local Rotary Club and their guests (most of whom I knew)
It went well, but it did mean a great deal of work for Wonderwoman and myself for a couple of weeks before the big day to try to tidy things up enough for visitors
If your guests tell you how nice everything looks it is fine. If they criticise and find weeds everywhere (or steal cuttings) it is less pleasureable
Depends on what you want out of life

 

Shiney,looks like a coach party from GC will be heading your way in the third week in May :D :D If you can get some Sortbread Biscuits in please as they are my favourites,I don't mind paying for the privelege either

 

Hope it's a big garden, Shiney! :D I rather enjoy shortbread too..... but maybe I could bring some of my own home-made stuff! :rolleyes:

 

Quite a small garden then Shiney Our village has an open day each year,but we never think our garden is good enough to show people round it.They would get round it in five minutes,so we would have to fatten them up with biscuits first to slow them down :D

Dendi,You ought to put up a recipe in the recipe thread for your Shortbread Biscuits.We also get stocked up with the Walkers ones when we head up to your beautiful Country.We are off to the Lake District in July,as we have some walks to do.We are already in training :D

 

I think sometimes we are far too hard on ourselves!
When I look at my garden all I can see are the faults. That bed needs weeding, that patch looks a little bare, eek, is that blackspot on my Sombreuil!
I had a chap come round the other day to pick up some plant pots I had advertised on Freecycle and he was all praise and Wow! what a lovely garden you have. Made me feel a bit better about it!