CHARITY
Hospice in the Weald
ROUND & ROUND
the Garden
enjoy the labour of love, it’s good news. Open garden season is in full swing and there are beautiful and interesting gardens to visit all across Sussex. Since 1927 The National Garden Scheme (NGS) have been raising funds for charities, starting off as a support to district nurses and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. That year, 609 gardens opened for ‘a shilling a head’ and raised a total of £8,191. In 2021, the NGS donated over £3 million to charities. And today, over 3,500 gardens are registered with the NGS to welcome people through their garden gates and raise money for good causes. There are also many, many other smaller open gardens in towns and villages all over Sussex. These might be organised by local gardening groups or individuals, but they all serve the same purpose of supporting local charities and inspiring and delighting their visitors. At many open gardens tea and cake can be enjoyed and often plants are on sale too. Visiting an open garden can be great generator of ideas and inspiration for your own garden, and for learning a new thing or two along the way too. Talk to fellow garden
For keen gardeners and garden lovers everywhere, open gardens are a welcome event in the summer calendar. Visit one this season and support local charities too, says Sara Whatley
T
he June garden is a thing of beauty. With ‘the longest day’ of the year falling on the 21st June, days are light and bright well into the evening, everything is vibrantly green, flowers are blooming and there is already plenty to harvest in the veg patch. It feels like every moment should be cherished in the garden at this time of year; it is bursting with possibility and vitality and warmer days means it’s nice enough to sit out and Southover Open Gardens drink it all in. Gardeners are busy keeping on top of bolting plants, working on the beds after the spring Open garden season is in full bulbs have died down, lifting early swing and there are beautiful cropping potatoes and pinching out and interesting gardens to tomato shoots. And for those that prefer to take off the gardening gloves and visit all across Sussex
Burgess Hill Garden Safari enthusiasts as you duck and delve into the planting and grill the garden owners on their colour schemes. Getting out in gardens is brilliant for our health too, from the physical to the mental. So, what are you waiting for? Find an open garden near you and enjoy a wonderful day out full of interest, beauty and delicious cake too. Here is a small selection of open gardens in Sussex, but also check your local communities and local or national garden societies for more. BURGESS HILL GARDEN SAFARI Sunday 17th July, 1.00pm - 5.30pm This is the 20th annual Burgess Hill Garden Safari, when lots of lovely and interesting gardens open around the town. A raffle is being held for Mid
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