Learn a great deal, feel valued and have fun as a National Garden Scheme volunteer, says Nicola Pearce

A new volunteer with the National Garden Scheme is urging others to get on board.

Nicola Pearce started as volunteer with the South Powys team in May 2026.

She said: “You can expect to meet loads of generous, interesting people with very beautiful and inspiring gardens.

“There are valuable conversations to be had, ideas to be noted, useful hints and tips to be remembered. I am surprised and delighted to find new locations; going home from the gardens with lots of unusual plants - you can’t resist.

“The benevolence of garden owners and visitors is amazing, as will the amount of money raised for nursing and health charities which supports the incredible work of Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Parkinson’s UK and The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.

“An array of gorgeous cakes tempts you at each opening, where you’ll also find a plethora of relaxing spaces to take in the sights, sounds and smells of nature, including abundant wildlife.

“Why not join me and be part of a very welcoming and friendly local team and get involved in supporting existing garden owners, as well as future planning. Expect to learn a great deal, to feel valued and to have fun.”

The National Garden Scheme is gearing up for its Centenary in 2027, so in the months ahead they are looking for new garden owners to open.

Anyone who is able to bake cakes or help with social media and would like to volunteer should contact [email protected].

Open gardens coming up on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 include Upper Bwlch Farm, Rhayader LD6 5NT, from 2 until 5pm. It is a new opening and features a small cottage garden on a working farm. It was created and featured on BBC Garden Rescue.

Ash and Elm Horticulture, Cae Felyn, Old Hall, Llanidloes, SY18 6PW, will also be open from 11am until 3.30pm.

It is a diverse five acre market garden with flowers, vegetables, fruit, nuts and plants grown using agroecological techniques that nurture nature.

Forge Village Gardens, Forge, Machynlleth, SY20 8RN, will be open from 11am until 4pm.

There will be five gardens in the hamlet of Forge open. They include gardens overlooking the river Dulas which have historical interest having once been an area with many working mills.

Hafotty Ganol, Pen-Y-Garnedd, Llanfyllin, Oswestry SY10 0AW, will be open from 11am until 5pm.

It is also a new opening and features improved upland wildflower meadows, an extensive paved vegetable garden, beehives, fruit, nut and berry orchard forest with naturally regenerating boundaries providing varied wildlife habitats. It also includes a nationally significant stand of butterfly orchids over-stood by champion western red cedars and larch.

The garden adjoins the open access “Dolydd Gobaith” or “Meadows of Hope” - a heritage project helping to restore precious upland habitat at the head of the Tanat valley.

For more information visit findagarden.ngs.org.uk