SHOOTS OF HOPE

With both the hens and most of us braving the outside world together again, life is at last returning to some kind of normal. And normally at this time of the year, a group of Whitstable garden owners open for the NGS. Back in the day, there would have been twenty plus ready to brave the public, but understandably this year we have been whittled down to thirteen, not bad though and still worth a visit.

If you’d like to join us, we‘re opening on Sunday May 23rd from 10 till 5 and you don’t have to book, just turn up, buy a ticket: (£6 or £10 for two), pay by card at any one of the opening gardens (see ngs.org.uk) or here at 19 Joy Lane CT5 4LT and spend the day by the seaside nosing around various gardens.

Some of us may feel a little nervous and may limit the amount of visitors in the garden at any one time, so a bit of queuing may be involved, but there’s plenty to look at, including a Plant Fair in my front garden, involving various nurseries including green eco Edible Culture and Swallowfield Nursery, and we will have our own stand where 100% profit goes to the charity. (If you live locally and have surplus plants, please get in touch.)

Stream Walk Community Garden is under new management and will be joining us to provide delicious teas and cakes in their garden, and we all look forward to welcoming you for a jolly day out. Please get in touch if you have any queries, and be patient as we all get used to the new normal.

PS. Unfortunately we still don’t know whether the school will let us park, so come early and find a space where you can.