I have just received the booklet with the details of all the open gardens in London this year. Now I am making my personal list of places to visit – at the top of the list is, of course, the North London Bowling Club on 18 June.

The National Garden Scheme, NGS, is a charity that is getting on a bit – it is 90 years old this year. All through its existence it has been collecting money for nursing charities by getting owners of gardens to allow the public into their beautiful private spaces for a small fee.

The North London Bowling Club is NGS’ newest member as it were. We are opening our grounds for the very first time and hope that we will collect a good amount of money for NGS charities.

But my personal list of gardens to see is as follows – and everyone is welcome to join me on the day:

• Edwardes Square W8 on 23 April  11am to 4.30pm
• The Charterhouse EC1 on 6 June 6 to 9pm
• 4 Park Village East NW1 on  4 June 2.30pm to 6pm
• Spitalfield Gardens E1 on 10 June 10am to 4pm
• North London Bowling Club N6 on 18 June 11am to 5pm
• Gordon Road Allotments N3 on 10 Sept 1.30pm to 5.30pm

This is just a tiny selection from a large number of possibilities – all over London and throughout the spring and summer. Have a look a the NGS website to see all the gardens, or give me a shout and I will send you a lovely booklet for the price of £1 to charity plus that of a stamp.