Chelsea Flower Show

I'm going for the first time on Saturday! Not sure what to expect as a rookie gardener (other than crowds), but hoping to get some ideas to take home with me. Has anyone any advice on making the most of the day? Has anyone ever purchased plants from there?

Thanks

FyfyK

 

I bought a Tasmanian Tree Fern and a Gazebo when I visited some years ago. Enjoyed it but it was tiring. I especially enjoyed the seafood and champagne LOL Met some lovely peeps

 

I was thinking of going this year. Haven't been for some time.

But it has become very expensive. £100 for an all day ticket

 

Jeepers ... at £100 a ticket I would have to leave the wife at home LOL

 

Ah well, all the while people are prepared to pay it ...

 

I am not going this year, not because of price but because last year was a let down, i felt that I had seen it so many times before. Regretting that now though, looks like a good year.

Probably echoing SHineys comments, but here are a few points from me.

The show itself.

Get to grips with a map and know the gardens you want to see, nothing worse than walking around trying to find a specific garden and failing.

Leave the show gardens till later in the day, these are the first place people go when they arrive so they get stupidly busy.

Rain is your best friend! Getting a good spot to see a garden on a sunny day makes it really difficult to get a good view of the gardens, especially early on. BUT, the second it rains, all but the most hardy of gardeners dash for the cover of the Pavillion leaving the Gardens all but spectator free.

Dont expect all the stall holders/designers to be too willing to chat, they have been there all week and even longer, so some lose their enthusiasm by the Weekend. Dont be afraid to try though, I spoke to Sue Wyn-Jones for about an hour the year before last, such a lovely lady.


Food and Drink

Its ruddy expensive!

I tend to stick with the ciders, they are not too badly priced, Pimms on the other hand is extortianate.

Take a pack up, I got myself some chips last year for £4.50 and, no lie, got about 12 chips, I handed them back and refused to pay.


The Sell off

This is the time of the day when even the most polite, well mannered gardener turns into a manic beast, I have been psychically pushed out of the way.

I learnt very quickly, that if your polite and patiently wait your turn, then you will be disappointed.

Some stall holders will allow you to reserve and pay for your purchases during the day, don't be afraid to ask.

Much of what you will buy on the stalls (in the pavillion) will be at inflated prices, you are best off seaking out some plants on a show garden, they dont want to take them with them so sell them at reasonable prices.

Get to your chosen stall or garden with time to spare and try and strike up conversation with the stall holders, that way they know you were there before all the late comers who want to push in.

ABove all, restrain yourself, that 8ft Delphinium looks great, but will you get it home in one piece!!

 

£100 a ticket? Mine was £59 at face value for all day Saturday, which is still not cheap but I'm intrigued to see what all the fuss is about.

Thanks for all the tips, I think I will skip the sell off (sounds like too much hassle) and take a notebook instead to jot down plant names for sourcing later. I'll also aim to arrive early on Saturday and take a packed lunch, a rain poncho, and maybe even a hip flask (sounds like i'll need one!)

 

Its a great day out, I have enjoyed it every time, much better than seeing it on TV. I am looking forward to Hampton Court this year, never been before, I gather its a bit more relaxed than Chelsea.

 

Nope.
Plants for sale - total choas.
I went once, and swore never again.

 

RHS members are cheaper than the general public.

 

I have been to the BBC Gardeners world live a couple of times, its ok, but its more of a large Car Boot sale, focused more on sales than Horticulture, but you can find some cracking plants.

 

Wow, seems its like Marmite on the love/hate scale! It will be interesting to see if it really does give me any ideas/inspiration or whether its just a glorified gardening theme park. Will report back. @Sirius i'm not a member of the RHS, I just got tickets off the website a couple of months ago. I might consider joining but I think its more suited to experienced gardeners.