Gardening / Cuttings: Organic openings

MORE THAN 100 organic gardens will be open to the public this weekend - and also over the first weekend in August - in aid of the Henry Doubleday Reserach Association. These are not just money-raising events, says Jackie Gear of the HDRA. 'We wanted to demonstrate that organic gardening is not the preserve of aficionados, but something that thousands of ordinary gardeners practise.'

Donald Heady of 56 Dunbabin Road, Childwall, Liverpool, is opening his garden today (2-4pm) and his allotment at Beauclair Drive, Childwall, tomorrow (2-4pm), admission 50p. Vegetables in deep beds, a greenhouse, cottage garden flowers and bonsai are the main attractions.

Ian Leslie of the South London Organic Gardeners' Group is opening his garden at 14 Haredale Road, south London, this weekend. It is a typical London suburban garden, he says, but very productive of fruit and vegetables. Open today and tomorrow (2- 5pm), admission by donation.

For a full list of organic gardens involved in this scheme, contact the HDRA, Ryton Organic Gardens, Coventry CV8 3LG (0203 303517).