NETHER EDGE OPEN GARDENS – 23th June 2019
Gardeners, along with farmers, have a reputation for being obsessed with the weather and this is hardly surprising since most of what they do depends on it. I’m hoping for a more equable summer than last year when the hot dry conditions of July and August not only killed the lawn but also scorched the leaves and killed a whole collection of recently planted rhododendrons. Plants tend to be resilient, however, and I’ve been pleased to see some that I had written off sprouting again. It will take a couple of years, however, for them to fully recover. There’s no doubt that global warming is going to force gardeners to change what we grow and how we grow it. It will be very interesting this year to see how our local gardeners are coping with the changing conditions on June 23rd.
This week we have been enjoying the TV coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show. As usual the ‘show gardens’ were immaculate and the floral displays breath-taking. Although we might harbour aspirations to emulate these in our own garden plots, the intrepid Nether Edge gardeners who will be ‘opening up’ their gardens on June 23rd know that such stage sets are not for real. They are brought to a peak of perfection for one week by teams of professionals, elaborate technology and huge amounts of cash. On the contrary, our gardens evolve throughout the seasons and the exuberance of June is just one snapshot of the garden at its greenest. The summer bedding and border plants are just coming into their own but the spring bulbs have finished their displays. Even so, for those gardeners that open their gardens, there is a huge amount of work to ensure that the garden is looking at its best for the day. Personally, I’ve given the garden a lot of attention in the spring with the open day always at the back of my mind. This year there’s a new focus for the garden as I’ve built a fairy play house for the grandchildren as well as built a new rock garden in place of the dead rhododendrons. There are also new water features and, of course, a few additions to my sensational collection of hostas!
The annual Nether Edge Open Garden event is now in its 11th year and is well established in the local calendar. This year, as usual, some of the familiar gardens will be open as well as some now recruits. All the information about gardens open has been published in the June edition of the ‘Edge’ newsletter. Look out for the signs on the gates and enjoy your day.
Peter Machan
Here is the list of open gardens - we're looking forward to showing you round:
134 Psalter Lane Natalie Glass 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Access (including for wheelchair) from Sandbeck Place (to rear of house).An all-year-round, Victorian ribbon garden packed with interest. In mid-summer, many roses, a collection of phloxes, fruit trees and bushes and a wide variety of cottage plants. 2 wildlife ponds. Refreshments and a few plants for sale. Donations in aid of RSPCA Sheffield.
18 Moncrieffe Rd Anne and Marc Brew 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Access via steps - those with mobility difficulties, use back entrance from lane to gain decent vantage point of garden.
A large number of different kinds of vegetables grown in a modestly sized town garden.
Light refreshments. Donations to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
24A Montgomery Rd Richard Knowles 2.00pm– 5.00pm
Level access to a good viewing point through the side gate. Pretty woodland garden with a special focus on tree ferns and grasses. Donations for Thornes girls’ rugby team, S. Yorks.
55 Kingfield Rd Peter and Mary Machan????????????????????????? ?????? ????? ?????? 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Level access to front garden and large rear patio area.
A plantsman’s garden featuring a spectacular collection of hostas.? Steeply terraced for a mystery tour of all types of plants, ponds and water features. ?Fun for children with a trail featuring fairy houses, wizards and sculpture and a Peak District Rock and Fossil garden. Greenhouse with cacti and succulents.
Few plants for sale. Refreshments. Donations in aid of Village Aid.
78 Kingfield Road. Marion Rout 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Level access to front garden and rear patio area before steps lead up to main garden area.
Large garden approximately ¾ acre originally designed for R. J. Stokes of Stokes Paints fame with a mixture of hard and soft landscaping, herbaceous borders, tree specimens and pond. Some art work.
Tea and cakes Donations in aid of Alzheimer’s Society
20 Chelsea Road Kath and Howard Fry 1.00 pm– 5.00pm
Limited wheelchair access A recently re-planned garden around a 1980’s bungalow that previously had too much lawn and not enough flowers. Now restructured to create distinct areas of varying character; ranging from a (vaguely) Italianate area with a wildlife pond, to informal planting cut into the old lawn, then down to an area of new raised beds for fruit, vegetables and cut flowers.
Light refreshments and some plant sales. Donations to Bluebell Wood Hospice and Water Aid
16 Chelsea Road Marian Tylecote 11.00 – 3.00 pm
Only park on Chelsea Road and walk down drive of No. 18 to reach 16. Sorry, no dogs. A fascinating garden following sound ecological principles and including many plants attracting insects and birds. Insecticides and herbicides are rarely used. Only plants that can cope with the conditions are chosen with mixing of wild and cultivated plants in some places. Some fine roses should be flowering. Plants for sale. Donations to Woodland Trust
45 Chelsea Road Chris and Tony Venables 11.00 – 3.00pm
Steps for access to house from road and gently sloping back garden A large, mature terraced garden with some interesting and quirky garden features. Very varied mixed planting, 2 greenhouses - one with a mature vine - and lots of fruit and veg. A lovely rambling garden.
Light refreshments. Donations to Alzheimer’s Research UK
41 Chelsea Road Adam Pemberton 1.00 – 5.00pm
Steps for access to house from road and some fairly easy steps in back garden
A fairly large garden with a pretty lawn and ponds area near the house. The garden then is gently sloping and devoted mainly to fruit and veg interplanted with flowers. Greenhouse with a mature vine. Season permitting, there will be fruit and veg for sale. Donations to St Luke’s Hospice.
11 Ryle Road Richard Taylor 11.00 – 3.00pm
A real gem, tucked away in the heart of Nether Edge, a small, peaceful and secluded garden. Designed for meditation and entertaining round a firepit. Recently planted acers and irises. Some art work.
Light refreshments Donations to local foodbanks.
Contact Chris Venables for further details on 07950 432487 or click 
