Summer is just around the corner, and we’ve got a whole host of events, offers and free talks lined up this year.

Gardeners of all ages are invited to Hedgehog Day on 15 June, expect to see hedgehogs, (real ones), take part in drawing competitions and listen to gardener’s tips and advice on protecting the prickly little fellows. There will be a Mad Hatters tea party on 16 August, afternoon tea with Sherborne Town Band on 21 July, and open air theatre company, Illyria, will be performing, ‘Babe – The Sheep Pig’ on 29 June, and ‘As You Like It’ on 17 July, tickets are available from Castle Gardens.

The Butterfly House will be the perfect back drop for exhibitions from the Horsington Group Art, from 24 – 30 June and the South West Society Botanical Artists on 4 – 16 July.

August is all about wildlife and there’ll be many talks on making your garden a wildlife haven and courses for children. Advanced bookings are recommended for children to come and make an insect hotel on 22 August and then moth traps on 28 and 29 August. Awards for the most wildlife friendly garden will be handed out on 1 August at the Wildlife Gardening Awards, with a talk from wildlife gardening pioneer, Bob Gibbons.

And that’s just Castle Gardens; watch this space for events from Poundbury and Brimsmore!

Mike