Opening the garden to the is fraught with trepidation and thrills. Preparing for it requires time and energy in abundance as one must get the garden to look its very best. Visitors, on their part, make the time and effort to come to it so it is imperative that every endeavor is made by the gardener to make it worth their while. That’s not just hard work but a demanding one as well. The way I see it, a visitor must be delighted, inspired, pleasantly surprised even and hopefully, learn something as well. That’s what I’d like when I’m the visitor. So, it’s what I strive to achieve with my own garden open day.
It’s important to give an authentic experience. After all, a garden ought to be a true reflection of those who tend it – their philosophical sensibilities on gardening, nature, the environment, design, as well as their lifestyle. “Get to know my garden and you get to know me” To deliver all that is the trepidation part.
The thrill is in meeting the diverse guests – hearing their reactions and observations, receiving feedback and best of all, seeing my garden through their eyes. Of course, while most are first time visitors, several arrive every year and finally, some friends who love my garden but also want to show support. Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends. For sure, gardens bring people together. I find it all positively exhilarating.
Open Day this past Saturday was glorious. After days of torrential rain ( and doing my chores through those challenging conditions), the garden sparkled in sunshine and radiated joy. What a relief! It was a near perfect event. I say ‘near’ because total perfection is a myth. Besides, as any gardener worth their salt soil knows, humility is a lesson learned very early in gardening.
I’m sharing some pictures taken from that day. Enjoy.
I do want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to all those who came – thank you.



























(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar
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