Chance to see some local gardens

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alison P on June 25, 2008 at 14:09

Sorry, pressed finish before I really was.

I meant to add that I can see all sorts of possible problems with what I'm suggesting which is why I've not posted on it before (I guess mainly to do with people feeling anxious about letting others into their homes/gardens). But I wondered whether if a few of us wanted to do something one Sunday we might be able to work something out.

Permalink Reply by Keir on June 29, 2008 at 23:05

Would welcome people to come and have a look at my garden. Although after being away for two weeks with nobody keeping an eye on it it has become a little messy. Blackfly have killed all my beans - and are being farmed by ants so none of my efforts at introducing predators is yet to work. Think I need to get some nematodes to eat the ants first! My potatoes have leaped out of their pots and started flowering. And I think the pond has sprung a leak somewhere. The lawn has worn thin and half of my lettuces have been gobbled by greedy gastropods.

Maybe I don't want anyone having a look!

I think this is a great idea though - would enable people to share seeds/produce/etc if they have a glut as well as handy hints.

Permalink Reply by finsburypark on July 1, 2008 at 9:48

Wilberforce Gardeners (Brownswood ward - where I live) are already organising such informal event twice a year.

If you like to get in touch with them and extend the event to the other side of Finsbury Park, it could a good opportunity to link people living in N4 area.

Let me know, I know the person behind WG.

Permalink Reply by Alison P on July 26, 2008 at 15:02

I went to see the Railway cottages gardens a few weeks back.

One had a very similar size/shape to what I guess is the typical Harringay garden (ie house width and rectangular) and was north-facing. The owner had no lawn at all and had crammed (at a guess) well over 200 different plants into the space - both horizontal and vertical - with a stone path leading through all the borders. Very inspiring (though not very practical if you have kids - I've been wanting to dig up our lawn for ages but him indoors thinks that would be a little mean to the wee one, bah).

The other one was a big bigger than the typical Harringay garden (well, mine anyway). It was a classic illustration of how effective having different 'rooms' can be when you are trying to divide up a long and skinny space, but the amazing thing was that she managed all this in what looked like quite dense shade.

Anyway, I'd really recommend having a look next time these or any other local gardens are open if you are struggling to work out what might look good in your own garden.

Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 26, 2008 at 15:15

What do you think of FP's suggestion above Alison?

Permalink Reply by Alice Lemaitre on May 6, 2011 at 8:50

Hi Alison,

Your post is from 2008 so just a quick query. Did you visit these gardens as part of the gardens scheme? Is the owner organising regular visits? I'd love to know: you've certainly made me want to discover this little space. Thanks.

 

Permalink Reply by Alison P on May 6, 2011 at 23:34

Hi Alice

They are opening again this year - July 10th. More info here.

Permalink Reply by Alison P on July 29, 2008 at 20:19

Sorry FP, I completely missed your message (thanks for pointing it out Hugh). I'd be very interested in how it works in Brownswood - I'll put in a friend request and then we can swap email addresses or whatever.

Permalink Reply by Liz on May 5, 2011 at 22:08

I've just been posting about a garden over in Muswell Hill and reading about the National gardens Scheme . Thought I'd pull this post out of the archives to see if people are interested in Alison's suggestion of an informal Harringay Garden visiting scheme. I've seen a fair few gardens now on the Ladder and I'm always amazed at how each one is so different.

Permalink Reply by Alison P on May 6, 2011 at 23:34

I'm still up for it if others are!