Open Garden 2014 (will it be rained off?)

I'm glad to hear that you ended up with sunshine, Andrew. You were good, opening for the Festival w/end! :-))

I'm not sure whether opening for the Festival Weekend was a good move. Yes, there was more publicity around, but the downside is the number of gardens that open - there were two others very close to Bracknell (but not close enough that you could get to all three in an afternoon).
Despite the low numbers, we sold a lot of plants. One professional gardener, who visited on his way back from London to Bournemouth, bought all twelve potted crocosmias.

It was very kind to you that weather, shame not as many visitors but bet those that came had a great time. :O) Do you do another day later on in the summer? Its a lovely garden with lots of interesting plants, and Barney and Maureen to show people around helps I am sure. lol :O)

Olive - that's it for general openings this year, although I do still take groups for private visits during the summer. Just taken a booking for a local U3A Garden Group in early July.

oh well lots of visitors still then to see your very nice garden. Wish I lived near I would definitely have come to see it all. :O) I have always wanted to do the tours of local gardens but have always been doing cricket teas or something else on the days they are open. Next year will be different though as I am retiring from doing teas and hopefully will be able to go along and visit the local ones at long last. lol :O) YAY!!!!!!

Pleased the weather turned good on the day Andrew and as you said you did sell some plants, its a shame your numbers were down but perhaps you'll make it up through the season with your private bookings...

Sorry that your numbers were down, better luck next year!

Our County Organised advised against opening on the Festival w/end, because of the fragmentation of visitors, which is probably what happened in your case, Andrew. I was pleased I took her advice! I'm probably opening for groups next year. I've got one group coming on July 4th this year.

Spritz - as it was a late decision on my part to have an Open Garden this year (I was only going to open by appointment), I decided to go for the Festival Weekend because of the extra publicity. But I will not do it again, as the visitor numbers were so disappointing. My group is coming on July 4th as well.

Mine are only coming for about an hour!!!

Mine might stay for two hours because they are getting (and paying for) tea and biscuits as well.

Apparently, they're 'doing' two gardens in an afternoon, so they'll get tea at the second one - well, it saves me having to do it! I was a bit peeved, actually, because I'd got friends (and me) making scones to provide a cream tea.

It's a shame you're not closer - I could have sent my group round for tea!

LOL.

Looking through old blogs and found this of your lovely garden. Wish I lived near:-)