Come and join us! Opening for the NGS

Welcome.

So, what does it mean to open? the first thing that I can tell you is that most people when asked will tell you that they didn't think that their garden was good enough. Generally, that isn't true, and comes from the different perception that you have to them about your efforts. You will spot every flaw; they won't. Another stumbling block is that you may have been to other open days, with what appears to be immaculately cut grass, long flowerbeds, ponds.... it doesn't have to be like that to be a garden. Let's talk through the whole process.

You have a garden. Or a balcony. Possibly a collection of tubs. However you grow things, this is your garden. If you watch Gardener's World, you'll have seen the films that people have sent in. Gardens come in all shapes and sizes, and it would be great to be able to represent that in our opening. Those of us that live in older houses may have a larger garden than those in newer built houses and have different challenges to overcome from those in newer houses. In a new build? Bet the 'soil' goes solid in the dry! Light issues? Lack of privacy? How are you dealing with these. people are interested and love talking to people about common problems.
You enquire about the possibility of opening. Your enquiry comes to me, and we arrange a chat and a visit. It's not an exam, so don't drive yourself mad tidying up. Sometime, you'll see my garden! The only criteria that I have on my agenda, are whether the garden is accessible to the public, and is there enough to interest them for around 15 to 20 minutes when they get there. You might have interesting features, a children's play area, keep chickens, or, like me, have a feature from another of your interests - sculpture or, in my case, a railway!
I involve the County organiser who will come and rubber stamp your joining the group, if she's happy with things. We might have some practical suggestions for you, and I'll talk to you about the day, and give you ideas for organising how to run it.
The date will be in early June so look at your garden. How did it look in June? What was in flower? had things got going, or do they wake up in July? Now is the time to plan for next year. You might want to consider looking into planting with an eye on The Day.
You register your garden, which will be filling in an online form with a code that the NGS send you. They'll want a small description of your garden, and a couple of photos. Use your phone, and always go landscape (now they tell me). Don't worry about any of this - it isn't difficult and I will help you if we get this far.
You realise in January that June is only six months away. Don't panic, but keep on top of it. Get ahead with all of the usual gardening stuff, relevant to your own conditions. There will probably be a gathering of all of the gardeners at a general meeting somewhere in Jan or Feb. Do take up the invitation. You'll meet people just like you, and feel a lot better. You may also get some stationary and signage from me, either there or distributed later.
I start sending out emails about things while you start to ask your friends if they can come and help you on The Day.
It's now April and things are going according to plan in your garden. Yes they are, believe me.
It's now late May and you're looking for a plant for that odd corner, or dealing with some other thing that you need to that suddenly is being a pain.
The week before. make sure that you have practical things organised (I'll have suggested things like a table and chairs for helpers. More later) You work out which lamp posts to put your signs on.
The Day. This starts for the public at 12.00 and ends for them at 6.00pm. You however will start at dawn when you remember that you left a large bag of stuff that should have gone to the tip in the middle of the lawn! Seriously, it's a wise gardener that is pottering early. Get anyone helping you to turn up at about 11.30. Don't give yourself a job; talking to the visitors is your job.
12.00 comes, then it's 6.00pm. So, where did it go? Where's the wine?

So, roughly that's how it goes. I hope that you take the initial step, and look forward to meeting you and helping you to share your garden with other people.

Ken