...In Dorset
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A LOOK AT NEWS, EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN DORSET
Gardens open bonanza throughout Dorset June is one of the busiest months of the year for garden visiting in Dorset with a huge number of garden owners opening their gates and inviting visitors in to enjoy a peaceful afternoon while raising much needed funds for deserving charities. Apart from those in the National Gardens Scheme there are other charities organising open gardens including the British Red Cross and locally organised village open gardens. Many of these garden openings are covered by Country Gardener, and you can find a selection that are open during June on page 11, with further entries in the Time Off section of the magazine starting on page 50. In the May issue of the magazine we covered the 90th anniversary weekend celebrated by the National Gardens Scheme on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of 27th-29th May, and highlighted the gardens that will be open that special weekend in the areas we cover, in Devon and Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire, in a vast area around the Cotswolds, and as far as Sussex. You can read more about the gardens that open for the NGS by looking up the local county booklets that are available in many places, or by using the national handbook. Once again Country Cerne Abbas Gardener offers the National Gardens Scheme’s annual handbook to readers at a discount price. The Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2017 is available direct from the NGS at the reduced price of just £9.99 including postage and packing to UK addresses. The book is usually £11.99 from the NGS website and retails generally at £12.99. To purchase copies of the book using the code please either order via the NGS website at www.ngs.org.uk or by phoning 01483 211535. Remember the promotion code which is CGMGVH17. Please allow seven to 14 days for delivery. The NGS website has been redesigned and is very attractive, with galleries of attractive photos; visit www.ngs.org.uk Bere Regis
WRAG’s scheme open for anyone who wants to garden
winning wildlife garden in Piddlehinton. The wide-ranging and enjoyable presentation was followed by lunch and venturing into the garden to see the practical measures taken to attract wildlife. The pond with its tadpoles wiggling away, newts surfacing and pond skaters whizzing across The WRAG Scheme (Work and Retrain As a Gardener Scheme) is the water attracted much attention. Multiple herbaceous run by the charity WFGA (Women’s Farm & Garden Association) borders filled with shrubs and plants of every size to accommodate wildlife’s every needs from homes to live in, and provides hands-on practical horticultural training. The concept is simple. The trainee gardens for 15 hours a week for food to eat, places to hide and everything else they could possibly want. A journey through the rustic gate revealed a a year, in a carefully sourced garden with a knowledgeable wildlife meadow with native daffodils, tulips, cowslips and garden owner or head gardener. It is an opportunity to gain Cammasias that were just emerging.. knowledge and learn essential gardening skills in a handson and practical way that is an invaluable start to career in Find out more about the WFGA by visiting the website horticulture and work towards a recognised certificate. The wfga.org.uk or email the local Regional Manager for WFGA is also for anyone interested in gardening. Dorset rosemarywfga@gmail.com It is a great way to make gardening friends, visit gardens - for the day, attend A small group of enthusiastic WRAGS trainee gardeners workshops on a large range of skills, and much more. recently enjoyed a wildlife gardening day at an award www.countrygardener.co.uk
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