After a 3 year break and a pandemic behind us I opened my garden on Sunday 29th May 2022 for the National Garden Scheme Yorkshire…. Unsure who or how many would visit… but there was no need to wonder for very long as the visitors arrived…. First couple had travelled Wakefield and not visited before.
As the carpark area filled up with cars the visitors wandered in browsing the stalls they pass on route to my garden entrance. Despite the weather looking iffy the atmosphere was lovely and visitors came prepared with waterproofs and umbrellas just in case.
I made my way to my garden to welcome visitors… it is always lovely to catch up with those that have visited before and see their excitement in how my garden has maybe changed or just ‘grown’. I love when they ask me questions about plants in my garden and was intrigued when I mentioned my 4 mistletoe growing experiment and all wanted to see it growing on my Braeburn apple tree.
‘You’ve got so many different plants it’s packed full’ indeed no room for weeds I replied!
They loved hearing how my garden was created with lots seating areas I explained for different time of the day and through the changing seasons.
Then the heavens opened and we all headed for cover under the stall gazebos and even my conservatory offered shelter some visitors headed for their cars and with 20 minutes the rain stopped and we all ventured back into the garden and with minutes more new visitors were arriving.
I like to make it into a community event but am fortunate to have lovely neighbours and access to their field at the back of my cottage and use of their yard for the car parking. I wouldn’t consider opening my garden without off road carparking it not fair on villagers a we have lots of roadside cottages that park on the road and it is definitely something to consider. Keeping villagers happy.
Volunteers are invaluable too however they help on the day may taking entrance money, waving cars into the carpark, manning a stall, making drinks for volunteers or just pointing visitors in the right direction. I’ve such lovely friends who love to help at my events.
I invited St Mary’ Church Hook to have a homebaking stall raising funds for their restoration fund. Market Weighton Hedgehogs – who support all local hedgehog rescues, Hook Gardening Club fundraising stall, Mires Beck Nursery Plant Stall. In addition to these stalls I invited a couple of other stall holders ( for a fee which I donated to NGS) a local refreshment trailer The Nags Shed & local Hand Painted crafter – Gifty Goose.
Everyone had a lovely afternoon….. so when am I opening again I hear you ask?????
Date for your diary last Sunday in May 2024 #watchthisspace
FINALLY……
So how many visitors came 267 and many friendly canine visitors too we raised the magnificent sum of £1200 for National Garden Scheme Nursing Charities. In addition The St. Mary’s Church Hook Home baking stall raised £450 for their Restoration Fund & Hook Gardening Club raised £200 for club funds.
Thank again to everyone who came and have you thought of opening your garden for charity?
Happy Gardening
Justine (I’m happy to answer and questions about opening for the NGS drop me an email) justine@rosemarycottagehook.co.uk
