The Cottage Garden Society (CGS) is an informal and friendly society of about 3,000 members in many countries, though most are based in the UK. It brings together amateurs and professionals who share an enthusiasm for this type of gardening. The Society was founded in 1982 when cottage garden plants were becoming 'unfashionable'. Those starting the Society wanted to protect this vanishing planting style.
They were concerned that, in the move to easily maintained gardens, hard landscaping was becoming more important than the plants. Interest in the Society soon grew and from small beginnings with the founders based in North Wales and Cheshire, we now have over 35 regional groups spread throughout the United Kingdom. Most of these groups meet monthly for talks, garden visits, seed swaps and plant sales.
You do need to be a member of the National Society to attend regional group meetings and be covered by our insurance. Any member of the National Society can join a regional group for the extra benefits of mixing with like-minded gardeners in your own area.
They were concerned that, in the move to easily maintained gardens, hard landscaping was becoming more important than the plants. Interest in the Society soon grew and from small beginnings with the founders based in North Wales and Cheshire, we now have over 35 regional groups spread throughout the United Kingdom. Most of these groups meet monthly for talks, garden visits, seed swaps and plant sales.
You do need to be a member of the National Society to attend regional group meetings and be covered by our insurance. Any member of the National Society can join a regional group for the extra benefits of mixing with like-minded gardeners in your own area.
Services
Our informal and informative, quarterly magazine.
Approximately fifty pages of articles by members, amateur and professional, sharing their knowledge and experience.
It includes book reviews, book offers, letters page, cottage garden recipes and much more.
An opportunity to obtain seed donated by other members - and send in your own surplus seed.
Twelve packets of seed for just 5.00 handling charge within the UK.
Seed donors and joint members receive a bigger allocation of seeds.
Locally organised by various Regional Groups, as detailed in the magazine and on groups' websites.
Approximately fifty pages of articles by members, amateur and professional, sharing their knowledge and experience.
It includes book reviews, book offers, letters page, cottage garden recipes and much more.
An opportunity to obtain seed donated by other members - and send in your own surplus seed.
Twelve packets of seed for just 5.00 handling charge within the UK.
Seed donors and joint members receive a bigger allocation of seeds.
Locally organised by various Regional Groups, as detailed in the magazine and on groups' websites.
The Society has around 35 regional groups, some with as few as seven members and some with over 200.
Most groups meet monthly and have talks in winter and visits to gardens and plant sales in spring and summer.
Some have an annual charge, some charge a small fee for attending talks and some do both.
All members of the regional groups should join the National Society, as only then are they covered by our group insurance.
Joining one of these groups is an excellent way to meet fellow gardeners, swap plants and seeds and go on arranged outings.
Most groups meet monthly and have talks in winter and visits to gardens and plant sales in spring and summer.
Some have an annual charge, some charge a small fee for attending talks and some do both.
All members of the regional groups should join the National Society, as only then are they covered by our group insurance.
Joining one of these groups is an excellent way to meet fellow gardeners, swap plants and seeds and go on arranged outings.
Our 52 page magazine is produced quarterly.
It contains articles sent in by members and by invited contributors.
In addition, it has letters from members, recipes that have been sent in, gardening advice and news of what is happening in the groups.
It can also be supplied as an audio cassette to members with sight problems.
Please send contributions to our editor, Julia Boulton.
Deadline for submissions for each issue is about seven weeks before due date, i.e. for the December magazine, the deadline is October.
It contains articles sent in by members and by invited contributors.
In addition, it has letters from members, recipes that have been sent in, gardening advice and news of what is happening in the groups.
It can also be supplied as an audio cassette to members with sight problems.
Please send contributions to our editor, Julia Boulton.
Deadline for submissions for each issue is about seven weeks before due date, i.e. for the December magazine, the deadline is October.
UK membership costs just 15 or 18 for two people at the same address.
Those joining at the shows do not need to renew their subscription until October of the following year.
If you would like to help out at any of the shows, please get in touch as soon as possible, to be added to the rota.
Once you put in your request, someone will be in touch with more information.
To all Members who have been working on the shows for this year, a special thank you for all your work.
Hopefully next year we will all be in a better situation.
Those joining at the shows do not need to renew their subscription until October of the following year.
If you would like to help out at any of the shows, please get in touch as soon as possible, to be added to the rota.
Once you put in your request, someone will be in touch with more information.
To all Members who have been working on the shows for this year, a special thank you for all your work.
Hopefully next year we will all be in a better situation.
The Cottage Garden Society's Photographic Competition runs from December to April, and is advertised in our magazine.
For rules & contact details, please see our Magazine for everything you need to know.
Help and advice is also available on the site.
Additional help will be given by contacting the email for entries.
For rules & contact details, please see our Magazine for everything you need to know.
Help and advice is also available on the site.
Additional help will be given by contacting the email for entries.
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