Sandy's Garden ... Missed It

The reason for this greeting … since I am very well aware that you may be reading these words at any time of the day … is that my words will be out-of-date before you read them and I want you to know they are being written in the morning of Sunday, 10 May 2020.

And the reason for that is an advertisement right across the lower part of the front page of today’s edition of my Sunday newspaper: “GARDEN DAY Today,” it proclaims, inviting me to visit #GardenDayUK, www.gardenday.co.uk, @GardenDayUK. Today, as in Sunday, 10 May 2020? Yes, indeed, Sunday, 10 May 2020. Well, by the time you have a chance to read these word, gentle reader, you have missed this alert and if, like me, you hadn’t previously heard about it, you have missed the event.

So, what was Garden Day? The organisers answer that question for me on the website. “Garden Day is a chance for people to down tools, don a flower crown and spend time celebrating their gardens. Everyone is invited from balcony and indoor gardeners to flower border fanatics and lawn devotees.” And how do you celebrate your garden? Again, the organisers provide the answer. “What you do on Sunday 10 May is completely up to you – the most important thing is to take time to enjoy your garden. Share your celebrations virtually with friends and family by video call, live streaming or posting across social media.”That’s right, in these pandemic-dominated days, Garden Day has to be a virtual celebration. I am not sure that it is altogether part of my persona to ‘don a flower crown’ and post pictures of myself on social media, let alone post pictures of my dog wearing floral headgear or wielding a spade, but there you are; each to his or her own; and if this is your ‘thing’ I am sorry that I didn’t know of it in advance to encourage you to participate.

There were quite a number of suggestions about ways to celebrate Garden Day. “Somerset is home to the World Wellington Boot Throwing Competition, so why not host your own?” was one suggestion, bringing back personal memories of the World Haggis Hurling Championships which used to be held in aid of Strathcarron Hospice. Rather less helpful, perhaps, was an entry in the large number of what I would describe as advertisements in the plentiful social media site entries. “Next to be featured as part of #GardenDayUk is the magical and mystical @armadalecastleskye. The beautiful gardens and grounds at Armadale certainly add to the wonder you’ll find during your time on the Isle of Skye.” I have been there, years ago, and wouldn’t disagree with that recommendation. There is, however, the small matter of the current pandemic situation and the consequent advice on the Armadale Castle website: “Closed due to Coronavirus. The gardens are now also closed following new government guidance. The Museum, ticket office, bistro and holiday accommodation are now closed until further notice. This is in order to help protect the health of our visitors, staff and community, in line with government guidance. We are monitoring the Coronavirus situation closely and will continue to post updates on social media and our website.”

It looks as if you will have been obliged to celebrate Garden Day in your own garden rather than in anyone else’s garden or a public park, in the grounds of a historic house or at a garden centre. The event was not an ‘official’ celebration, but was organised by Candide Ltd., a company whose registered office moved from London to Bristol on 21 April this year and who describe themselves as, “an ambitious, international start-up enabling people to progress their passion for plants and nature through the application of technology.” And who knows? There may be a Garden Day in 2021 if we are allowed to socialise in the next twelve months!