Carol Klein of BBC Gardeners World, and patron of The Garden Gadabout, launches this year’s event on behalf of the Sussex Beacon.

Two of the most colourful days on the gardening calendar & Brighton’s largest open garden scheme, The Garden Gadabout takes place July 12th & 19th featuring over 70 private gardens.

Carol Klein added her own unique blend of enthusiasm and passion to the launch of The Garden Gadabout. In keeping with the event, tea and cakes were served to a small gathering in the beautiful gardens of the Sussex Beacon.

Prior to the launch, Carol and the Gadabout coordinator Bridgette Saunders, visited some of the gardens, and gardeners taking part in the Gadabout on 12th and 19th July. When asked what had made her become patron of this event, Carol replied “I love the whole idea of sharing your garden; it’s wonderful and so inspiring to have the opportunity to see what other people have done with their space. What’s more, it’s all for such an important and fantastically worthy cause.”

Carol and Bridgette were also joined by Karl Grewar, from BBC Radio Sussex & Surrey's Sunday morning show “DIG IT” who will be broadcasting live from Bridgettes Garden on 12th July. Phone in interviews with gardeners will take place throughout the show, bringing the Gadabout directly into the homes of listeners. Introducing the interviews recorded at Fridays launch, presenter Joe Talbot said the Gadabout was “an inspiration for fellow gardeners… bringing a large dose of community spirit to Sussex”.

The Garden Gadabout guide, available from locations around Brighton, or via this website lists all the gardens taking part, showing the 16 easy to manage trails. The guide also gives a description and photograph of each garden, enabling visitors to plan ahead, or find their local trail. To make the day complete, many gardens are selling a delicious array of homemade lunches, cakes and teas, all to be enjoyed in beautiful surroundings. As well as plant & seed sales and exhibitions of art. All proceeds come to The Sussex Beacon.

Entrance is £1 donation per garden on the door, or newly launched this year are the one and two day passes giving access to all gardens on the trail. £6 for one day and £10 for two. These passes can be purchased in advance only from 19th June, from The Sussex Beacon Shop in St James St or The Brighton Dome on 01273 709709.

Last year the Garden Gadabout raised over £16,000. With your help and support we hope to beat that total this year.

For more information about the Garden gadabout contact Bridgette Saunders by clicking here.