Open Gardens

[Geranium]

As I'm busy-busy getting my garden ready for the open days, the first of which is next week, I'd be very interested in hearing your views on what you'd like the see in a garden open to the public such as an NGS garden.

Are there any no-nos? Do you go with high expectations? Good points/bad points to look for?  Ta muchly - I think your thoughts will help.

[Ladygardener]

I've never actually been to a private open garden only bigger stately home type open days Geranium but I still have a few things I'd really like to see.
Someone or else labels (sorry Auricula ) so I could write down the names of the plants I especially like.
Plant stall selling some of the plants in the garden, the more unusual the better.
Availability of the owner to explain growing habits, likes and dislikes of plants if asked.
Some lovely sunshine and tea and cake would be a bonus.

[Jasmine]

The only one I've been too was also run as a B&B with little cottages tucked away in the grounds. I found it a bit awkward wondering around when folk were sitting outside their cottages having a meal. I guess they rented the places knowing they may have 'visitors' passing through.
I'd like to know what plants were and I guess having the person who owns the garden around would help to answer questions. It would be good to be able to buy things you've seen and like Ladygardener says, refreshments - especially cake, would go down a treat.
Do you chose your charity Geranium or do you get told what your area is supporting that year?

[Barbara]

Drifts of plants Geranium, as against just solo's dotted around, and scent, I think that's very important, and knowing what plants are called, so you can look them up when you gat home, and cake.

[Rosefriend]

Thanks to the Olaf and the Garten Kultour here in our area we have seen many open gardens. We pay 5E a year for a button badge and that allows us to go into as many gardens that are open, galleries, studios, workshops etc 3 times a year in May, June and October. The 5E is used for printing the flyers etc. - no profit is made at all.
We can go to about 8 opens gardens and through the years have been to them all, now we just go to our favourites and Dutchy comes up for the June open gardens..some change now and again which is good as one or two are the pits to my mind.

What I look for is the owners if I spot something I would like to ask about, I take paper and pen with me for names and then coffee and cake at reasonable prices, some do the German bit and have nibbles and/or grill Bratwurst which are sold reasonably. Plants  - my favourite open gardens is a treasure trove and I bet I have a dozen plants from her, always so cheap and lovingly potted up (she always put a leaf under the compost to stop the compost falling through the holes, and bags, boxes to carry stuff in and she is so friendly, not over so, just nice. Her OH is a mine of info - you know that's a white flower, that blue one there and always points in the direction of his wife for names...it makes the whole atmosphere happy.

What is important for visitors is when the weather is lousy that there are umbrellas, pergolas etc to get cover, also when it is too hot and a must is chairs and tables if necessary. We don't go anywhere these days when we know that OH can't sit down and rest for a few minutes.
A loo is also a must with a sign(s) pointing to it...nothing worse than being caught short and you can't find the owner to ask where the loo is!!!
Plenty of parking space or such that you can get out as well, turn around etc. Once had to go all the way back to find the owners of cars so that we could get out...friends and neighbours are always useful for jobs like that. Our favourite  garden has 6-8 people helping in various ways.

RF

[isabella]

Well - it seems we aren't 't doing much right at all which is a  bit of a worry

We don't have a plant stall,not  many plants in the garden are labelled and we were advised by our county organiser not to offer loo facilities as it would mean visitors trailing through the house.

we do havie  2 arbours  and 2 benches  in the garden and tables and chairs - next door neighbours let us use the hard standing at the front of their house. I do make lots of cakes and scones and we are available to talk to our visitors.

[Geranium]

isabella, you must be doing something right - you get a lot of happy visitors, don't you!

I don't label plants either, but I make sure I'm available to answer questions. We are lucky that our local WI come and do the teas for us, and we have a downstairs loo right next to the back door. Another bonus is that the farmer next door lets us use his field opposite the house for parking. 

We have plenty of places to sit, some under cover. Our neighbours in the village are good at coming to help - and the Asst. County Organiser came one year when we were a bit stuck. She says she's happy to sit there taking the entry money!  As for charities, no,  Jasmine, we don't choose our own, the NGS supports various charities like Macmillan Nurses - they're listed in the Yellow Book. I'm allowed to make a donation from my plant sales to any other charity, though, as long as I post a notice to say so.

I try to have my own plants plus a stall from a local Nursery. They give us a percentage of the sales they make.

If you saw weeds, or a messy area, what would you think? Do one or two weeds matter?

[Rosefriend]

You are definitely doing a lot right isabella and if you can say what you offer, which is what I have understood, and people know that they can't depend on a loo then they will no doubt make other plans and go somewhere else first.

I don't mind weeds at all Geranium - I don't think that I know of a hobby gardener that would - they must know in their own gardens how suddenly they appear... We aren't visiting stately homes with loads of gardeners, open gardens are hobby gardeners that show what wonderful plants they have and that is why I go. To look at combinations, colours, plants, and to get ideas for home etc...

RF

[Jasmine]

May 27, 2013 13:16:03 GMT isabella said:

not  many plants in the garden are labelled

You're doing lots right isabella.  I don't think labels matter if the garden owners are about and can say what a plant is if asked. 

Nice that the WI help out Geranium as making refreshments could end up being one job too much!

Wouldn't a person's insurance company want to know if they were allowing folk to use their facilities i.e have access to their house when they don't know who all the visitors are  

[Tig]

I am always dragging OH off to look at other peoples gardens when they are open. I don't go with any specific expectations, although tea and cake is always nice, and a plant sale is deffo a bonus for me (not for OH though!)
I have no problems with seeing a few weeds, or an untidy area as long as it isn't half the 'garden'

The gardens that I tend to enjoy most are those that you can't see all in one go, you have to wander to find the gems, with plants which are a bit 'junglified', nice places to sit with some perfume wafting at you from somewhere nearby. However I also appreciate the effort that goes in to maintaining a perfect lawn and manicured hedges, which were the pride and joy of some of the owners gardens I've visited, more so than their flowers.

It is great if there is someone knowledgeable available to ask about the plants that you don't recognise, although I often find the owners have been commandeered by someone 'loud' It would be nice if rarer specimens were labeled, or even a sheet of paper listing some of plants in the garden as you go round.

There are only a few gardens I would re-visit, they are usually ones which either change their displays annually (like isabella & Barry) or those which have planting schemes which continually evolve through the seasons.

Also I find it interesting when owners have a picture board with previous photos of the garden and the challenges they've tackled in making improvements or coping with the British weather (sometimes these are sited near the tea and cakes and do generate discussion and visitors perhaps appreciate the efforts the owners have made)

It would be very boring if all the gardens were similar though, I don't think there is a 'one size fits all' - thankfully.

[Geranium]

I like the bit about 'perfect lawns' Tig!   Do dandelions and clover count as 'perfect'?

Funny you should mention photos - we're planning to put up photos of the garden 'under water' so people can see what a challenge it's been to get it back up to standard this year.

I just couldn't do teas for 60+ people as well as coping with the garden, so I know we're lucky with the WI being happy to come.

When we had a 'by appointment' visit from a group of mature students on a gardening course, I typed up a list of the Geraniums in flower and they liked looking  at them, and some made notes and took photos.  I was leading them round, so I couldn't do that for the 'normal' visitors.

I keep saying 'we'. OH is very good at the paper work and putting up posters and the signs. He does the direction signs in the morning, but they have to be taken down in the evening of each open day.

By the way, Jasmine, the NGS insurance covers us for everything including people using the loo! We're advised to close the curtains so nobody can peek in if they're up to no good.

One thing I did which is lovely to look back at is to put a 'comments' book by the gate.  I don't think people with a gripe would write in it, they might say it to me - well, I hope they would!

[isabella]

It is very interesting to read all your comments - thankyou
Last year we had over 180 visitors - it is very much a family affair as regards helpers - our garden isn't anywhere near as big as Geraniums- it has turned into a lovely family day - they all help and I give them a meal and wine in the evening - the children love helping,too  Tolly helped his other Nana And Grandad  giving out tickets,Lily helped by stickering people  and Adam helped his mummy in the kitchen

We have a visitors book as well.

As regards loos - most visitors will be in the garden for approx. an hour and a half so why would they need to use a loo? Of course ,in an emergency we would agree.

I hope your Open Days are very successful Geranium - you have had so much to cope with this year.

We put photos of the allotment on the shed door - I like your idea of before and after pics Tig - might just do that

[Jilly]

I don't go to many open gardens, it's not on OH's list of favourite things to do & I've stopped going with my MIL, I couldn't cope with the embarrassment . You did make me giggle when you said would anyone object to a few weeds Geranium, real gardeners wouldn't, but I know someone who would take more pleasure from pointing them out than seeing the garden. Perhaps that's something you could include, a patch of ground for anyone that is wishing the ground would open up & swallow them because their companion has just said something really rude, very loudly 

[Geranium]

Thanks for the suggestion, Jilly, but I'm paranoid about getting any weeds out!  I do hope I don't get any visitors who look for the bad rather then the good, but I suppose there are people around like that. Our previous County Organiser homed in on a coral poppy and informed me it was 'in the wrong place' which was insulting as I'd already moved it when it flowered, as I was expecting it to be pink. I'd moved it to where I thought it looked fine. She couldn't say anything nice, could she! >:DIt knocked my confidence a bit. (This was a visit on the first day we opened, not the assessment before we were accepted by the NGS)

We went to see her garden, and let's just say we wouldn't go again...and she hasn't opened it for the last two years anyway.

[Rosefriend]

Stop worrying Geranium - first of all weeds do not exist - all you may have is a few wild flowers. See what you have, if any, and then google them and see what healthy properties they have etc. I once heard a woman moan to the owner that she felt that her ground elder was terrible and why hadn't she removed it. The women smiled sweetly and said something to the effect of "oh my dear, I couldn't be without my Vitamin C salad each day"!! I creased and after the women had left, still gobsmacked, I went to the owner and laughed and said, "Well done". She laughed and said she has been trying to get it out for months and there was still a bit there but she wasn't going to be made a fool of!!

That County Organiser @geramiun sounds to be a pain in the nether regions - cheeky mare !!  The one fantastic thing about open gardens is that no 2 are the same - we all have a choice in what we plant and what we like and that is what makes each one special. There are some gardens that I would never go back to - one here is called "The English Garden" - mmmh - I would blow it up if I did see it in the UK but the women loves it and all are happy to show what they choose...

You will be so busy on the day that you won't have time to think about the "wild flowers" or the clever so and so's (there is always one!!) that you want to kick...can't you train Henry to nip ankles !!

RF

[Geranium]

He loves open days, Rosefriend, he is always to be found with a group of admirers, having his tummy tickled and I'm sure he gets bits of cake, too!

It's amazing - he doesn't bark at the visitors.

Thanks for cheering me up!

[Geranium]

I must try to see the whole picture and not 'home in' on the bad bits.

[Rosefriend]

May 29, 2013 18:18:13 GMT Geranium said:

I must try to see the whole picture and not 'home in' on the bad bits.

Have you ever tried to walk around your garden as a stranger...difficult, but if you can half way manage it then I bet you see a lot of things in a different light..

As you say, see things as a whole, the way a stranger would. They come through the gate and see , well what...they won't see the bad bits, they will see the whole area in front of them....go on, have a go...

RF

[Geranium]

I find that virtually impossible, Rosefriend.  I've asked Abi to walk round with me the next time she comes for that very reason.

[Rosefriend]

May 30, 2013 5:19:36 GMT Geranium said:

I find that virtually impossible, Rosefriend.  I've asked Abi to walk round with me the next time she comes for that very reason.

Great - hope you see that your fears are ungrounded !!

RF

[Geranium]

I hope she will feel she can be honest, Rosefriend!

[Rosefriend]

Hahahaha - well if I could I would just fly over and walk around with you !! Unfortunately it is a bit of a journey for me but I bet when it is all over you will see that you have been worrying for nothing. Keep forgetting to ask - when is the big day - I seem to have missed it somewhere Geranium ??

[Geranium]

The 6th, 13th and 15th of June, Rosefriend.  I wish you could come!

[Rosefriend]

May 30, 2013 5:42:40 GMT Geranium said:

The 6th, 13th and 15th of June, Rosefriend.  I wish you could come!

Yes so do I - it would be lovely...if there is one thing that I wish everyone with open gardens it is dry weather - doesn't need to be boiling, but nobody needs litres of the wet stuff.

RF

[Ladygardener]

Geranium isabella regardless of what you do or don't provide on the days you open, nobody who entered either of your fabulous gardens could come away dissappointed. You're both to be commended for all your hard work and planting you've done and for being generous enough to open for charity. I wish you both all the very best and hope you can find time to enjoy as well.

[isabella]

Thankyou LG 

Geranium - please stop worrying -your garden is wonderful and I wish I lived closer so that I could have a wander round it 

i know all the iffy bits in our garden but I hope our visitors don't notice them -I think it is the overall feeling visitors get that matters and I know they would get a good feeling in your garden - and ours ,too hopefully 

[Rosefriend]

Any chance of a lovely video isabella - I would love another walk around......

Oh yes Geranium - that's a good idea - how's about a video??

RF

[isabella]

If you can put up with a shaky video and naff commentary then I will do one 

[Rosefriend]

May 30, 2013 16:16:30 GMT isabella said:

If you can put up with a shaky video and naff commentary then I will do one 

Certainly can isabella - I really enjoyed the last tour!!

RF

[Geranium]

Do you use a camcorder, or can you make it on an ordinary camera, isabella? I haven't got a camcorder, but my camera will take short videos. Then there's the next huge step - making it appear on the forum!  I'd need step-by-step instructions...