Step into spring with a visit to a local open garden. With so many wonderful National Garden Scheme gardens to explore, there’s something for everyone, says local volunteer organiser Teresa Farnham
With spring here, please think about visiting National Garden Scheme (NGS) gardens to get fresh ideas for planting or design; contribute funds to cancer charities; enjoy meeting new people; eat delicious cakes or buy new garden plants.
In 2024, the National Garden Scheme raised over £3.5m for cancer charities such as Marie Curie, MacMillan Cancer Support and Hospice UK. All from willing volunteers who open their gardens to the general public.
The nine gardens that were open locally last year raised over £5,000. Not bad going for opening on one day each! This year, locally, there are 18 gardens taking part. They are all very different and range from the tiny (Wanstead gardens) to an extensively planted two-thirds of an acre (College Gardens in Chingford, with plants and birdhouses for sale; my nesting robins were very grateful last year!) Another opening in Aldersbrook features a ceramicist who uses the plants in her garden to produce beautiful ceramic items.
As an NGS volunteer area organiser for 30 years, I am always amazed by the variety of the gardens I am privileged to help open. It is a treat to visit the gardens and see how much the visitors, as well as owners and helpers, enjoy the day.
Some garden owners have opened for many years, and after a break, Latimer Road in Forest Gate will once again open this year to stun visitors with its exuberance and diversity of plants. Harold Road in Leytonstone are looking forward to their 10th year and have made delicious jams, chutneys and cakes for sale as well as looking after a collection of 30 daphnes. Garden visitors are often amazed when they go through ordinary-looking town houses to view exuberantly planted gardens.
Both Tweedmouth Road in Plaistow (tiny and tropical) and Higham Street in Walthamstow (large and wildlife-friendly) gardens have been featured on BBC TV. New gardens open locally this year include a set of three gardens in Wanstead on Greenstone Mews and Voluntary Place, plus Rokeby Gardens in Woodford Green and Betoyne Avenue in Chingford. I hope they will add to the list of London open gardens for years to come.
So, please visit at least one of the local NGS gardens this year, or if you’re planning a holiday in the UK, why not look up a garden near your destination? Wanstead Library has free copies of the NGS booklet to take away or browse all the gardens online. And perhaps you will consider opening your own garden next year. If you do, I am happy to visit.
The gardens of 17 Greenstone Mews and 28 and 32 Voluntary Place in Wanstead will be open on 27 April from 2pm to 5pm (tickets: £5). Visit wnstd.com/ngs25
To contact Teresa for more information, email teresa.farnham@yahoo.co.uk
