VISIT AN OPEN GARDEN

One of the best ways to get inspiration is by visiting a garden open for charity. You can chat to the owners and see how they have dealt with their conditions, with wind, sloping ground, acid soil, town gardens or allotments; there’s a huge range amongst the 3,500 gardens that open for the National Garden Scheme in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Guernsey. There’s a similar scheme in Scotland – Scotland’s Gardens – with ever ything from city gardens to grand houses, from islands to allotments. Many have plant stalls and offer teas, too! The money raised goes to nursing and caring charities, so you are helping others as well as having a lovely visit.

NGS.ORG.UK and SCOTLANDSGARDENS.ORG