Monday 13th April heralds the start of National Gardening Week this year. Organised by the RHS to promote gardening in its myriad of forms, people up and down the country are promised local events to get everyone in the family out of the house and into the garden.
The highlight of the week will be Friday 17th April which has been designated National Open Gardens Day. Along with RHS gardens in Yorkshire, North Devon, Surrey and Essex, many other garden attractions will be waiving the admission fee on this date, in order to promote National Gardening Week.
Erddig at Wrexham is offering visitors the opportunity to take a guided tour around the recently-restored 18th Century walled garden. Starting daily at 1.15pm from Monday 13th to Friday 17th April, The one-hour tours with Erdigg's gardener also take in the award-winning ivy collection. The tour is free but admission to the gardens starts from £6.60 for an adult ticket.
Also offering a guided walk with one of the gardeners is Dyrham Park, near Bath. The entry fee for adults starts at £4.60 with children half price. There is plenty to explore but make time for the tour at 3pm which introduces visitors to the 'lost' 17th century terraces, including a bluebell walk through woodland paths
In Dorchester, one of the top 10 most beautiful gardens in England is ready to show off its spring colours to visitors throughout the week. Minterne Gardens will be open between 10am and 6pm from 13th-19th April. Admission is £5 - free for under-12s, and parking is free.
The Cotswolds town of Moreton-in-Marsh is the place to head for if you want to see a spectacular display of Japanese Flowering Cherry blossom. Competing for attention will be the magnolias - over 70 varieties of them! Open from 13th - 19th April between 9am and 5pm, tickets cost £7.95 for adults, £3.50 for over 4s and £19.95 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).
Over in Warwickshire, Upton House will be showing off the impressive tulip display for National Gardening Week. Adult tickets start from £6.80 with children's tickets half price and family tickets from £17. Collect a map from reception and take in all 7,000 varieties, some of them available to buy from the on-site plant centre.
Anyone looking for a little more hands-on involvement should get themselves down to Totnes, where the local community garden is always on the lookout for volunteers. Turn up from 2 - 4.30pm on Monday 13th April and you will be provided with equipment, refreshments and a couple of fun-filled hours helping to keep the garden in good order.
James Wong looks set to do for gardening what Mary Berry has done for baking. Combining science with gardening know-how, James is pioneering a whole new approach to growing your own fruit and vegetables, promising superior results to traditional methods. See for yourself on Monday 13th April at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford, where he will be hosting a talk and book signing at 2.30pm. Admission is free but you do need to book on 020 31765830.