 |
HDRA is Europe's largest organic
membership organisation. It is dedicated to researching and promoting
organic gardening, farming and food. Three display gardens in Great
Britain, at Ryton in the Midlands, Yalding in Kent and at Audley End
in Essex.
Meadowscape comments: Good section on "things to do
in the garden", but site preaches on a bit for some. (You don't
have to listen!) |
|
 |
From its foundation in 1804, the Royal Horticultural
Society has grown to be the world’s leading horticultural organisation.
Their three flagship gardens - Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon
and Hyde Hall in Essex - not only provide year-round interest but
also demonstrate the best gardening practices, new techniques and
exciting new plants to try in your own garden. To promote gardening
even more widely the RHS has joined forces with over 40 gardens in
the UK to offer free access to RHS Members. The Society’s best-known
venture is organising annually the world famous Chelsea Flower Show.
The RHS is also committed to handing down the benefits of 200 years
of gardening expertise to the next generation of gardeners. As a charity,
the bulk of the Society’s funding comes from its membership, which
now totals in excess of 270,000. |
|
|
|
Back in 1927 Miss Elsie Wagg of the Queen's Nursing
Institute had the bright idea of raising funds for that charity by
persuading people to open their private gardens to the public. It
has grown to become a national institution, with three and a half
thousand gardens, of every possible size and style, raising over a
million pounds a year for nearly a dozen charities.
Garden openings are a beautiful and relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
Some people just visit the gardens for the home-made teas often on
offer!
And always, at the back of your mind when you visit an NGS garden,
is the pleasant knowledge that your money (usually around £1.50 nowadays)
is going to help a whole range of good causes, from providing cancer
relief to training National Trust gardeners. |
|
|
