VERY SURPRISED TO READ......

My local GC said they won't be getting the local one until around Easter

Thank you for letting us know Dottydaisy2, I have known about NGS for years, I was a member and got their book posted to me regularly. But... this is the first time I have come across their booklet here in Peterborough in the seven years I have lived here. I am well chuffed! :)))

Great info - Cheers DDaisy :))

Brilliant Dd. didnt know you could view online either!

I am not surprised some members may not know about the NGS and or the Yellow Book. I never see it around to buy and if I had not known about it from years ago nothing in the last 10 years would have informed me of its existence.

Very true Drc. me neither.

I'm always taken aback too, when someone (particularly a gardener!) hasn't heard of the Yellow Book. It's such a great scheme. Always worth a look to see if there's a garden open when you're on holiday in this country . . the owners are such enthusiasts!

Good idea for a blog, Dotty. :))

The Scottish yellow book isn't yellow this year, it's pink! I've no idea why, perhaps they are trying to establish a unique image for a separate Scottish charity. I usually buy it, but this year I am just using the internet. I'm trying to remember how I found out about it first....I really can't remember, but I think it was probably on the telly...GW prog. or something. It's a fantastic scheme and this year I am determined to see a few of the gardens because the ones I've visited in the past have been stunning! :)) They nearly always have a plant stall and refreshments too. :))

I had been told about the yellow book & looked online to buy one, then saw you could get all your local gardens online. A week later Poppylover & I found the county one in the GC of a college garden. We couldnt believe it was free!

Yes - isn't that a grand idea, Willinilli?! We can all pick up a leaflet showing the open gardens in our area . . . the leaflet's free, but I think there is a charge to enter each garden, so the charity doesn't lose out.

I always pick up a free leaflet at Pershore horticultural college when we visit the plant nursery there. We have done Fladbury and Cropthorn so far and usually pay about £4 ea for the tickets and this entitles you to visit about 15 or so gardens we have found it a beautiful day out and always find that most of the gardens have plants to sell and there is lots of ideas to inspire you.

dont forget these gardens often have plants for sale, often unusual plants too :o)

many members havent heard of the HPS [hardy plant society] nor the RHS [royal horticultural society] either.

Well done DD - get the NGS plug in early in the season. Our County Organiser has just distributed the County leaflets to the garden owners in the past week so they should hit the Garden Centres any day now as well.

Most bookshops will also stock the full book and will know what you mean if you ask for 'The Yellow Book' (except for one lad in our local store many years ago - does Bracknell breed 'em? A girl on our newspaper had never heard of the Chelsea Flower Show!)

PS. I'm currently potting up plants for sale at my Open Garden on June 17th (hint, hint)

Andrew I am always surprised when gardeners ask me what is the Yellow Book? here in Hampshire the booklet has been in the GCs for at least 10 days, they are very hot on advertising here, I had my copy of the Big book last week, lots of new gardens opening around here......like you OH is busy potting up, and I am experimenting with new cake recipes, getting fatter by the week lol
We are opening early June and early July this time.
Sheila is right the booklet is free, you only have to pay to enter the garden, and for the tea and cake, and plants of course.
Drc that is a pretty poor show as Sussex pride themselves on the amount of money they raise each year, next time you visit your local GC ask them where the booklets are?
GM there are some lovely gardens open around London, and what with Joe Swift being President I would have thought the GCs would be heaving with booklets.
Thanks for all your comments, I do hope many of you will get around to visiting a garden this year, and taking loads of photos ( owner permitting of course) and sharing them on here.......

I'm only just getting used to carrying a camera with me (the old one had to be re-charged every five minutes, literally), so I'll gladly take you up on that last idea. Two friends are opening here in June, so will start with them. :))

Sheila I shall look forward to your blogs and some lovely pics!!

:)))

Dd. have never seen a yellow book ever in our GC.!!! I am going to see if the library have any.

I think part of the problem is that some counties charge for their County Booklets and others offer them for free. A Garden Centre near me, close to the Berks/Surrey border used to stock both. Berks were free; Surrey charged 50p or £1 (I forget which). One customer complained because the tin for money was not chained to the counter, so anyone could walk off with it. So now the GC doesn't stock either county's booklet - just because of one complaint!

Andrew that is a shame, GM I shall tweet about that, it is not good enough.

We picked up our copy from the local Civic Centre/Council Offices last year ... have never seen one in the local Library or GC though ... great shame it isn't publicised more .......

Shirley I am so amazed, in Hampshire every GC has them on their counters, I will certainly bring this to the attention of the NGS.

Well done, Dotty ... it really does need to be more prominent on the counter ... florists should display it too! .....

Now that is a good idea Shirley....

Sometimes the obvious ones are the best! ... :o)