The National Gardens Scheme has started its 2010 season. CAROLINE LOWBRIDGE finds out more...

CHARITY garden openings and trails are common events over the summer months, but the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) offers places to visit for nine months of the year.

A new NGS Yellow Book has just been launched for 2010, containing details of 3,700 gardens which are open to the public in return for a charity donation. Of these, 74 are in Notts, and the first to open is The Beeches in Milton, near Newark, a one-acre garden, has an impressive collection of snowdrops.

Margaret Swindin, who has lived at The Beeches with husband Jim for 35 years, only started collecting snowdrops six or seven years ago but now has 260 different varieties.

The Swindins have been opening their garden under the National Gardens Scheme for 16 years.

"It was derelict when we took over," says Mrs Swindin.

"We planted potatoes on a lot of it to clear the ground. We gradually planted grass and dug out the beds and planned it as we went along, and it grew with us. We are still altering things."

The snowdrops are scattered all over – including a 'lawn' at the front.

"There are daffodils, anemones, snowdrops, crocus, and I even had a bee orchid last summer. The crocus are just beginning to come,"says Mrs Swindin.

The main garden also has a large vegetable plot, which Mr Swindin looks after. The garden looks out on lovely views of the countryside, and visitors can also take a look at the nearby Newcastle Mausoleum, a monument and burial chamber built for Henry, the 4th Duke of Newcastle, in the 19th century.

As with all NGS openings, admission fees from The Beeches will go to charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Help The Hospices.

The Beeches, The Avenue, Milton, Tuxford, Newark, NG22 0PW, is open from 11am to 4pm on Sunday February 28. Admission is £3 for adults, and free for children.

The NGS Yellow Book 2010 is priced £8.99 and available from www.ngs.org.uk or from all good bookstores. People can also search for gardens in their area at www.ngs.org.uk

caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk