Open gardens, spring equinox and spotters' sheets

   
I have opened my garden this week.

Before you get the wrong idea, I should clarify that this was not part of the NGS Yellow Book scheme (I fear I wouldn't make that cut) and there was a distinct lack of tea and cakes on offer.  Instead, I have had the local pre-schoolers over for a 'Signs of Spring' walk.

Apparently the visits are going quite well.  I can't be more definite about that as I didn't go out there myself.  I know these are only two, three and four-year-olds but frankly the under-5s are the harshest critics you will ever find and I wasn't sure I could take their comments.

Still I did show willing.  Not only did I hold my tongue on the fact that spring is still five days away (I am an equinox pedant and proud of it), but I even knocked up some Signs of Spring Spotters' Sheets.  I also managed to blanche only slightly when the pre-school leader showed me the squares of card adorned with double sided sticky tape.

"And those are for...?"

"Collecting signs of spring."

"From my garden?"

"Um...well...yes."

And then, added, as she saw the expression on my face.  "But they won't be very big signs of spring."

If you want to have a go yourself, I've attached the spotting sheet below.  But please don't come to my garden as I'm not sure there will be anything left to spot.

Download Signs of spring – spotting sheet

Comments

[Karen - An Artists Garden]

Nice spotting sheet - I may have to photocopy it and go around my garden with it.

I asked the NGS ladies if I could charge £10 per child for my open garden rather than let them in free -
K

[Dawn]

Karen - Sugest you not only charge £10 but also erect some kind of holding pen.

[Louise]

Can't seem to open the spotting sheet. Thought I might use it with the kids round our garden.

[Dawn]

Hi Louise - I'm not sure why it won't open for you. It's in pdf format that should make it possible to read for almost everyone. Could it be something to do with security settings on your PC?