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Simply..open your garden for a good cause....

9/6/2014

12 Comments

 

I'll start with why shall I?

When I lived in Oxfordshire we spent every weekend from April to October of our first year there visiting gardens open under the Yellow Book scheme. It's a marvellous way to get to know a new area. We had a wonderful time! There were so many to choose from (we often managed several in one day), they were varied and fabulous -  grand country estates to tiny back yards in the city and we were struck by the generosity of the gardeners. If it was sunny people would put out rugs and cushions and encourage you to stay a while, the cream teas were to die for, the plant sales were irresistible. I do think gardeners on the whole are very sharing people.

When I came here to the shores of Loch Long on the west coast of Scotland and developed the garden, I realised how many good gardens there are tucked away and decided it was pay back time, so I invited some gardeners to apply to the Scottish Gardens Scheme with me. (This is our fourth time opening.) 

I do it to raise money for causes I believe in and in gratitude for all those visits we made.

And I do it because it's the best possible incentive to getting all those projects done!!

Picture
Digitalis purpurea alba.
Picture
The spotted one is 'Dalmation'..

I'd love to hear from anyone who has opened their garden (or is thinking about it!)

You will find more posts about opening the garden under Simply Grow June 2012 and June 2010 if you have time for a browse.
12 Comments
rusty duck link
9/6/2014 07:43:30 pm

Oh good luck Freda!
Yes I've thought about it. But it will be several years away, the garden is nowhere near ready.

Reply
Freda
10/6/2014 06:22:40 am

Thank you Jessica. It is hard work, but it's also fun meeting lots of gardeners.

Reply
cath
10/6/2014 01:38:50 am

What lovely intentions you have with opening your garden to the public.
We have visited quite a few in Great Britain too and they all were fabulous.

Reply
Freda
10/6/2014 06:23:39 am

Do they do this in the Netherlands too?

Reply
Sarah link
10/6/2014 05:15:38 am

I wish we there had been time for us to visit your garden when we came up to Scotland two years ago. We did apply for the National Gardens Scheme a few years ago although they were impressed with the garden it wasn't big enough. I should have done the same as you and encouraged others locally to open their gardens with
me. Sarah x

Reply
Freda
10/6/2014 06:25:56 am

We are seven - three small and four medium(ish) gardens - in three villages. Perhaps you could find a few to share too? I think it's more fun this way.

Reply
elaine link
10/6/2014 07:27:30 am

Last summer my friend and I visited quite a few Open Gardens under the NGS scheme - every garden was totally different - all were beautifully kept and most were an inspiration - I would never consider doing it but my friend has opened hers a few times - I'm a bit of an introvert and wouldn't enjoy complete strangers invading my space I'm afraid.

Reply
Freda
10/6/2014 07:35:48 am

I can understand that, though I find I don't mind it if it's just for two days a year!

Reply
Barbara in California
10/6/2014 02:57:52 pm

I'm relatively new to your blog and I'm really enjoying it. Your digitalis are beautiful. I haven't had much luck with them as I live in California's Central Valley (near Sacramento) and it is HOT and dry. I love that you're opening your garden up to others, and for good causes as well. I hope to see more of your garden in future posts.

Reply
Freda
11/6/2014 03:58:27 am

Welcome Barbara. I'm a bit obsessed with the garden right now, so there will certainly be more posts! It sounds as though your conditions are very different from ours!

Reply
Lucille
11/6/2014 03:11:51 am

Such beautiful foxgloves. I visit lots of NGS gardens and now feel as though I have had a glimpse of yours all the way from Stockholm.

Reply
Freda
11/6/2014 03:59:27 am

Lucille I hope you are LOVING Stockholm as much as I do. My favourite city.

Reply



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    An artist seeking a simpler life - (but not too simple!)

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