It is an invitation that is a must for garden enthusiasts and novices alike. Hill Cottage owner and gardener Shirley Gilbert is hosting a series of practical garden workshops throughout the year commencing on the 12th January 2011. It is an opportunity to share Shirley’s invaluable gardening knowledge throughout the seasons.
Shirley‘s monthly “hands on” workshops are an initiative to raise funds for the worthwhile charities of the NGS scheme. They will also provide answers to all the questions that visitors have asked her over the years. Popular subjects will be included such as propagation, pruning, growing flowers, fruit, herbs, vegetables, organic methods, compost heaps, the greenhouse, shrubs, trees, climbers and choosing plants for specific places.
It is a workshop with a difference taking place in a cottage garden within sight and smell of the sea. It is at the top of a very sandy hill in North – East Norfolk with what would be thought as far from ideal growing conditions. The cottage garden is approximately a ¼ acre, surrounding former farm workers’ cottages. Organically cultivated, never watered and densely planted with both traditional and unusual varieties of drought resistant climbers, shrubs, perennials and annuals, fruit, vegetable and herb gardens, greenhouse and pond, a real butterfly and wildlife paradise with a small nursery. Hill Cottage is a member of the Norfolk Cottage Garden Society and Shirley Gilbert is their present chairman.
Shirley moved to Hill Cottage, Norfolk in May 1991. The garden was just tall grass and weeds, hedged on two sides, with one very old apple tree with some gooseberry bushes. Shirley has since planted everything you see. Shirley entered “BBC Gardener of the Year” in 1999, the year it started, she was runner-up for the South East region. Hill Cottage first opened for the NGS in 2004. The garden has been featured in ‘The English Garden’ July 2003 and again in the ‘Gardeners World Cottage Garden Special’ screened August 2008. The garden is a popular garden for many garden associations and groups by appointment.
Norfolk NGS County organiser Fiona Black said “Many visitors pick up handy tips and planting ideas from NGS garden owners whilst enjoying a garden day out. It is a great idea Shirley offering to share her gardening experience and knowledge through the workshops and raise money for the NGS charity.”
Hill Cottage owner Shirley Gilbert said “I am really delighted that through the National Gardens Scheme I can offer these workshops. Through opening the garden you receive appreciation for all your hard work by the enjoyment of the visitors. Now with the increased interest in grow your own and the economic climate I am inundated with visitor enquiries on open days. The workshops will enable individuals to spend quality time in the garden to address this, what better way to learn than hands on in the garden enjoying yourself.”
The Hill Cottage garden workshops cost £40 per person per workshop including lunch,
10am – 4pm To book contact Shirley Gilbert tel: 01692 403519 or visit www.ngs.org.uk
An ideal Christmas gift along with the 2011 NGS Yellow Book gift token.
Dates:
12th January 2011 – 9th February 2011 – 9th March 2011
13th April 2011 – 11th May 2011 – 8th June 2011
6th July 2011 – 3th August 2011 – 7th September 2011
12th October 2011 – 9th November 2011 – 7th December 2011
