Open Gardens?

[Scarlet]

A neighbour over the road often opens her garden for charity. As we are a quite a way from the main action I'm surprised that she gets as many viewing that she does but she wants more!
Now she has asked me to join her this year and OMG! I'm not sure what to do - it's for a good cause but I've lots of concerns - do peeps nose in your house?
I'm a messy gardener, I have a million jobs in at one time and I totally love chaos
Would you open up your garden? If not, why not?

[Small pumpkin]

I think you should do it . I've seen pictures of bits of your garden and it always looks lovely. And you're a people person

I wouldn't do it. Mostly because I'm bl@@dy unsociable and very precious about my veggie garden especially chillies

Last year Bob held a gathering for people from a Facebook group. Luckily not many turned up. But they all got shown around the veggie garden. I hated every second of it!

[veggiechicken]

I think you should do it too - your garden looks lovely.
However, I wouldn't - not because I care about the chaos (that's the way I am) - and I'm happy to show a few people around on a one-to-one basis but you need helpers (or signs and handouts) if there are any more.

[SarrissUK]

It sounds like fun! My garden is so tiny that you can't get many people out there at any one time, and they would definitely have to come through my house to get to the back garden. So it's not something I'd do with strangers, but if I had access to the back garden from the front of house without having to come through it, I'd love to do it

[Scarlet]

It sounds like fun! My garden is so tiny that you can't get many people out there at any one time, and they would definitely have to come through my house to get to the back garden. So it's not something I'd do with strangers, but if I had access to the back garden from the front of house without having to come through it, I'd love to do it

My neighbour lives in a terrace! She lets them come through her dining room and into her kitchen to access the back garden.i think it's mad but she thoroughly loves the whole thing - her husband moans but secretly I know he likes it too!

[rary]

I would go for it if I was you, as you have good plants to show and from what you have posted a lot of named plants, though you don't need to be tidy you must be safe, ensure everything here are no hazards for anyone, and remember there could be children among your visitors, as for my self I will be having a group of sixteen to twenty at my garden toward the end of summer and I have been warned the garden must be tidy, but then she has told me that many a time

[Bren In Pots]

Sister inlaw opened her garden one summer she said it went well and that she was glad to have an outside loo.

[Guest]

If you have got to this point I think it is one of those things you should try at least once.

It is on my 'to do' list but at the moment my garden is just one hooge hazard.

As for your neighbour - my hat goes off to her, traipsing through the house would not be do-able in my book. Use of the nasty/gardeners/tradesmen loo and the utility for cakes and bits is my limit. None of the open gardens I have been to have had access to houses. There were a couple of halls/manors that opened up summer houses and meeting spaces. Other were village events where community/ village halls were used as well.

Oh and I would love to see your garden

[veggiechicken]

the Village down west where I used to have a house had an open gardens event in aid of the local non-RNLI lifeboat. Manned by local people and funded by local people.
20+ gardens would open on the day of all shapes and sizes and the village was buzzing, especially after you'd stopped off at No 5 for coffee and cakes, the village hall or pub for lunch, No 12 for a glass of something and ended the day at No 20 to party.
The houses and gardens reflected their owners interests - one family were in the orchestra and a trio would be playing classical music, at another the Village Jazz band played, there was a pianist in a summer house, a model railway in a garden that ran indoors too. Raffles, plant and book sales - and the sun always shone.
All the gardens were different - in age, size and style. From terraced houses, bungalows, farmhouse and a walled garden. It was a wonderful day and people came from all over the country. I'll miss it.
Maybe Scarlet, you could have music too?

[Scarlet]

Oh yes VC, I'm getting more interested music would be lovely! Cream teas would be fabulous too!

[veggiechicken]

...........and prosecco
Charge by the glass and put the profits into the charity - but don't drink it all yourself.

[Scarlet]

I was thinking fizz when I wrote cream teas....strawberries, meringue and fizz go well

[veggiechicken]

Thought you might be
Any covered areas in case it rains? Gazebo, awnings? Plenty of seats and tables. Bunches of flowers in jam jars on the table.
A Visitor's book is nice too - for people to write their comments and tell you how much they've enjoyed it!!

[Guest]

Some of the things I have seen at open gardens

pizza slices (they had an outdoor pizza oven)
tours of village in classic cars
lawn games for children
art work (the lady was a botanical illustrator)
women on a spinning wheel
various sculptures with village rides by tractor Sculpture Trails – Bergh Apton

I am sure there are more

There have also been various stall on village greens - honey/bees, local food, crafted goods, plant stalls

Depends how much time and effort you wish to put in

[bramble]

It sounds like a great idea.
V.C. you should open yours...such a great mix of all things gardening.
I would so love to see your garden.