Open Your Garden

NGS is looking for gardens of interest, quality and character to raise money for charity.

Nearly 4000 gardens open every year in England and Wales to raise money for charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support. The NGS welcomes new gardens to broaden our appeal, especially gardens with a good level of plant interest.

The size and design of your garden is not the priority, many NGS gardens are normal back gardens.

TV presenter Carol Klein, of BBC 2's 'Open Gardens' series says "Every year, hundreds of new gardens join The National Gardens Scheme to help raise money for caring and nursing charities. If you think your garden fits the bill, please contact your local volunteer team who will help you decide whether you should open for the NGS".

So here are some garden tips to consider:

• Your garden needs to engage visitors. Several small gardens could open together
• It should have a wide range of interesting and well-grown plants
• The design should enhance the planting
• Undeveloped areas must be interesting
• Keep the garden weed-free
• Working areas must be tidy
• Your garden must be made with love and care! 

If you think you could open your garden and raise funds, why not discuss the possibility with our friendly volunteer team.  You can also download our information leaflet or call 01483 211535 for further details.

You don’t need a garden worthy of a gold at Chelsea to be part of NGS!

Other ways to support NGS:

• Visit a garden
• Make a donation
• Sign-up to our enewsletter
• Join our volunteer team
• Buy the Yellow Book