The Count-down!

57 comments

Well, nearly there – only a few more days before my garden opens for the National Gardens Scheme for the very first time!

Of course the garden is the main focus in all this, but did you know what else goes on? Read on – you’ll be surprised!

To start from the beginning, there’s an assessment. The County Organiser arrived with her assistant last July and I took them round the garden. Of course I was nervous – I’d seen the programmes about it on BBC2 and knew that only about half of gardens assessed get into ‘The Yellow Book’.

Well, it was a ‘Yes’…so we had a long discussion with them about timings, what we had to do, what would happen next…and so on. We waited for the forms to arrive. We’d be warned that there was quite a lot of paperwork – there was! We had to choose the dates… my photos on the laptop were a great help there! We had to send some photos to the NGS Headquarters for the website. That was difficult – which ones? This one…yes, maybe that’ll do…

We needed help to complete some of the forms as ‘newbies’, but the County Organiser was a great help. How many signs, posters, arrows, would we need? She was able to advise. It was more than we thought!

Could we get someone to serve teas? Sell plants? Somewhere to park? Yes – we sorted all that!

During the year, I’ve done a lot to the garden. You may well have followed some of my projects in blogs. Remember this one?

This week – the count-down has begun – I have been looking round the garden to see if it looks right to open to the paying public. I looked at the back garden…and took out one of three self-sown Linaria. This left a gap…

Off to buy a few plants! They must be the right colour, though…

Fill the space… that’s better!

In the last week, we’ve put signs up around the neighbourhood, in the two shops in the nearest village and at the Horticultural College, as well as having a small mention in the local paper…the WI have been to see where they will be serving the teas. Husband has been to the County Organiser’s home today for yet more signs…we’ve tried to sort out helpers…checked that our farmer neighbour will cut the grass in the field opposite (for parking)…

Oh, and I added a pot with Cannas in as a focal point.

I’ll be out in the garden as usual every day until Thursday, and watching the weather forecast with my fingers crossed, as well as checking my roses and geraniums anxiously in the hope that they’ll be in flower.

There’s still the grass to cut, edges to clip, more weeding to do..oh, the list goes on – and on!

I bet you didn’t know all the things that had to be done in the lead-up!
I’ll keep you posted about the day itself…and look forward to meeting some of you as well.

Afterwards, we have more forms to complete. THEN after the second opening date, maybe I can relax and enjoy the garden!

29 May, 2009
22 likes

Comments

Motinot

Congratulations Spritzhenry on being accepted into the yellow book....your garden must be brilliant, it certainly looks it from the photos, beautiful plants and shrubs, wonderful colour combinations, not a weed in sight, i would love to visit....well done and best of luck.....

29 May, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thanks - it's exciting and scary at the same time!

29 May, 2009

Seaburngirl

i had heard about the paper work and i saw those programmes on tv too. you are one gutsy lady and i wish you all the best for the remaining run up and the big day itself.
i just wish i could get over but work prevents that.

29 May, 2009

Youngdaisydee

WoW Spritz thats Amazing, You must be running around like a headless chicken hehe, Ive seen the TV show, Health & safety and all that..Dont worry Tho your garden is Worthy of the yellow book and you will have a great time along with All your Visitors.. Dee..

29 May, 2009

Lincslass

Well done Spritz your garden looks a picture and is a credit to you, I,ve watched the programmes on the tv and seen what people have to go through to get in theYellow Book. Lets hope we keep the good weather( its been grand here) I wish you well for your debut and looking forward to hearing all about it.......PS remember to sleep as well..Lol.

29 May, 2009

Crazydi

Oh Spritz, I feel for you...I really do!!
Here's a few tips from me, and my experience of "opening" for the NGS...
1. Make sure you have lots of helpers for the "big day!" All the visitors will want to speak to you, so don't give yourself a job, just be around to chat to your visitors (this can be hard work...)
2. Make sure you have a decent "float"...lots of pound coins and 50p's....the first visitor will want to pay with a £20 note...Lol!
3. Have some sandwiches or snacks made up in the fridge for you and your helpers....it will be a long day and you'll need to stay energised (lock yourself in the loo for 5 minutes if you need a break, lol)
4. DO NOT WORRY about your planting, your garden or anything else...your visitors will love it!
5. Have a "Visitor's Book" lying around, (with a pen) where people can leave their comments and addresses...you'll be so thrilled afterwards to read the lovely comments, and to see where people have come from.
6. Anything that's in a pot and reluctant to flower? Bring it into the house a couple of days before, and "blow dry" with the hair dryer....this will open up anything that's in bud!!
6. Most of all...ENJOY YOUR DAY! I know how much work and effort goes into it!
Wishing you the very very best of luck....don't be nervous, your garden is brilliant, and at the end of the day it'll all be worth it...it's for a great cause! :) xxx

29 May, 2009

Sanbaz

im so happy that you got in the yellow book, your garden is amazing, you have put so much into it and well deserve this,, hope its a great success and the weather is good for you,,enjoy every minute both of you, wish i could be there, will be thinking about you and cant wait to hear all about it,,love sandra x

29 May, 2009

Blodyn

Good Luck ! I hope all goes well.

30 May, 2009

Mookins

ooh Im so excited for you, wish I was closer I for one would be one of the first to come and see your beautiful garden... and you of course
I wish you all the best and will send you a week of our beautiful weather to ensure you have a fabulous day

x x x

30 May, 2009

Arlene

~Can I have the address please with the post code and we can put it in the Sat Nav?
Hope it's a brilliant day for you!

30 May, 2009

Toto

Nothing I can add Spritz. Your garden is fabulous so nothing to worry about. Enjoy your couple of day's. All the very best.

30 May, 2009

Mildred

Just wanted to add my Good Wishes. Enjoy your open day - your garden looks wonderful.

30 May, 2009

Pansypotter

Congratulations Spritz! would love to wander around your garden its fabulous, just wish we lived nearer, Im sure the day will be a big success, you have worked so hard, looking forward to hearing all about it, enjoy your very special day!

30 May, 2009

Andrewr

Hope your day is a great success spritz - you deserve it.
I'm working flat out too as I have a group of 25 visiting on Thursday evening but the list of jobs to do before then is gradually getting shorter!
Hope you found the blogs I wrote last year about opening were helpful too

30 May, 2009

Nariz

Well done Spritz! Hope your day goes beautifully and looking forward to the following blog. Wish I was near enough to visit. I'm sure it will be a doddle for you as all the hard work has already been done. I bet you'll sleep well that night? :o))

31 May, 2009

Mageth

Spritz I know everyone who visits will be delighted. As a frequent open garden visitor I cant thank enough people like yourself who take all the time and effort to open their gardens, its always uplifting for me as a visitor

31 May, 2009

Spritzhenry

That's a lovely thing to say, Mageth! I wanted to share the garden with other people, and also of course the NGS Charities need as much as they can get.

I've had a lot of advice and support from members like Andrew who are veteran 'openers' and that has helped a lot when I have a panic!

Nariz, if the weather holds this week - I shall be worrying about the 11th!!! :-(

31 May, 2009

Bonkersbon

As you said Spritz its hard just to get accepted .. so obviously these people know a great garden when they see one.

Think owners must be assessed too as you ll be meeting members of the public so really a double compliment to you .

As someone whose garden wouldnt qualify and whose PR skills amount to .. get off my land ! you have my admiration .Wishing you lovely weather and hopefully the chance for some time to enjoy the experience .

31 May, 2009

Wagger

Enjoy your 'days in the sun' Spritz - I'm sure you'll become an annual event.

31 May, 2009

Clarice

Well done, hope everything goes well for you, you know your garden is lovely, i only wish i could be there, but i will be thinking of you both. GOOD LUCK. x

31 May, 2009

Xela

Have as great day, Barbara, and enjoy it. After all your hard work you deserve it.

31 May, 2009

Spritzhenry

THANK YOU everyone! :-) :-) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

31 May, 2009

Craftnutter

Sorry to be so late, hope it went well!

1 Jun, 2009

Pondlady

Hope everything went well cant wait to hear about it,PS you have a great garden

1 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

It's OK, Craftnutter and Pondlady, you're not late - the garden opens on Thursday this week (4th), and again next week (11th) !

Thanks for your kind thoughts... :-)

1 Jun, 2009

Mikec

Best of luck Barbara. I'm sure that it will all go VERY well.

2 Jun, 2009

Dawnsaunt

What an achievement, you must be chuffed. I wish you all the best on the day.

2 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thanks...the grass is cut, the edges done, all I have to do now is dead-heading. Then - welcome everyone! (What if nobody turns up after all this? LOL)

2 Jun, 2009

Dawnsaunt

I dont think you need worry about that Spritz - I'm sure you will have lots and lots of eager visitors :-) Very exciting .... sounds like most of the work is done now - what are you expecting weather wise?

2 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

The local forecast 5 minutes ago said cooler, probably cloudy but DRY!!! :-)

2 Jun, 2009

Andrewr

They always turn up for a NEW garden, even if it rains!

2 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

Our lovely farmer neighbour has cut the field opposite for parking. :-) That would take about 500 cars - Eeeeek! That would mean 1,000 visitors!!!!!

2 Jun, 2009

Dawnsaunt

Dry will do, won't it. Lots of parking so just one thing .... I trust Henry has been warned to be on his best behaviour :)

2 Jun, 2009

Irish

500 cars. wow lol that is a lot.
lots of new friends for Henry lol

3 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

We've decided that the gates will stay shut, and that it will be impossible to keep him indoors, but he is such a sociable dog...anyone who doesn't like dogs will have to keep clear of him. At least there's plenty of room to do that!

I do hope we DON'T get 500 cars, though! ;-)

3 Jun, 2009

Jangue

Hope you're not feeling too frazzled and starting to look forward to tomorrow Spritz. Your garden looks absolutely stunning and I am hoping to be able to make it. Can you let me have the postcode and times please? xxx

3 Jun, 2009

Balcony

So glad you were chosen to be included in the Yellow Book! Hope all goes well tomorrow - did you realise that your opening comes on polling day? A lot of people are bound to be out & about so you may get many visitors!

Good luck with the opening! :)

3 Jun, 2009

Crazydi

Very best of luck for tomorrow....will be thinking of you xx

3 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thanks! I'm very tired now. It's been a long day...

Balcony, we are a bit off the beaten track for voters...they (and we!) have to go to the village to vote. It's about three quarters of a mile away.

3 Jun, 2009

Peter

Best wishes for tomorrow and next week, Spritz!! I hope everything goes really, really well :o)

It's a fantastic achievement, and thoroughly deserved, your garden looks fantastic! I hope you're not too rushed off your feet tomorrow and that you manage to enjoy the day.

Good luck :o)

3 Jun, 2009

Bonkersbon

Ditto Spritz..all the very best .X

3 Jun, 2009

Lincslass

Hope all goes well tomorrow Spritz......

3 Jun, 2009

Spritzhenry

Thanks, all. You have all been so kind. :-)

3 Jun, 2009

Gardenmad1

I am so excited for you - I wish I were there. Good luck

4 Jun, 2009

Doon

Oh my gosh, what a honour. Congrats, U are brave. I was asked this year to show my garden, but tooooo chicken, and we will only get 300-400 visitors not a 1000. Verrrrrry brave, really so much work, but also such a joy. Good luck & enjoy.

5 Jun, 2009

David

I hope that the grand opening yesterday went well, and that you had plenty of visitors, Spritz. You deserve it, after all your prep work, and because your garden is superb. Of course, I'll see it for myself next week! :-)

5 Jun, 2009