After a damp squib day at Wollerton the day before a bright breezy day at RHS Tatton Park was perfect. I went at the invitation of the RHS Tatton team who are looking for designers to take up places at future shows. Tatton is a long trek North for me but it was, I have to say, well worth it.

The show is undoubtedly smaller than it’s big cousins in the South but that works in it’s favor, no crowding to see gardens, no queuing to talk to designers, who all seemed to be on their gardens on Saturday and plenty of room to walk around and really get a good look at what was on offer. Not to mention plants for sale!

After the Press talk we walked the whole show and talked to as many show garden folk as possible (mainly designers) about what it was like to compete and design for Tatton. Everyone as incredibly positive about it, even the full month ‘off work’ to build the garden and then be available during the public opening. Some self fund (gulp) most had sponsors. Of those we spoke with gardens ranged in cost from £11k-18k which was considerably less than I expected and though some gardens were small (6x4m) it showed how much could be packed in.

Will we be entering for 2016?

We could be if we get the rest of the sponsorship!