Following the 30-year tradition of the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire branch of the National Gardens Scheme, 24 gardens will open this year to raise money for the 10 charities supported by the scheme. Last year our lovely area of South West Wales contributed over £8,000 towards a total of nearly £2,000,000 raised throughout the UK, mostly for nursing charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care. "The gardens opening in May are mostly private gardens ranging from grand and historic to rural and relaxed, to small and urban," said Jo Hammond, of the gardens scheme. "We depend on the generosity of our garden owners and visitors. "In south-west Wales we are blessed with wild sweeping landscapes ranging from seashore to woodlands and gentle valleys. The glory of this region lies in the fertility of its soil, watered by copious soft rain. Our gardens too benefit from this wonderful environment and five hard-working, altruistic gardeners are opening their gardens to the public this month for the NGS. They deserve our support. "Their gardens offer a pleasant and often inspirational outing as you enjoy the beautiful environments they have created and you can satisfy your curiosity as to what is hidden behind those mysterious garden walls whilst also doing a good deed for charity. The enthusiasm of our gardeners is part of the charm of these visits. Many garden owners speak of their plants with great pride as though they were children." Among the May openers will be Picton Castle, The Rhos, Haverfordwest, on Sunday 6th, from 10.30 am - 5 pm. The 40-acre gardens at Picton Castle are open to the public, but on two days each summer they are open especially for the National Gardens Scheme. Here you can stroll through the woodland walks to see some of the oldest trees in West Wales, discover ferns, wild flowers and a maze. There has been a castle on the site since 1280 and over the centuries a collection of plants from all over the world has been established. The rhododendrons are an important feature of this garden. Another feature is the walled garden where herbs and medicinal plants are grown and trhough which you can enter the fernery, a haven for more delicate species. Plants are on sale and teas are available in the café. Admission is £4.95;children £2.50 So now is the time to go out and enjoy this lovely garden, happy in the knowledge that you are also helping to raise money for some very worthy causes. Further details of this and other garden openings are also available in the NGS leaflets in all Tourist Information Centres. Other gardens opening in May: Sunday 13th, 10 am - 5 pm, Colby Woodland Gardens, Amroth; Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, 11 am - 6 pm, Weir Castle, Treffgarne; Sunday 20th, 1 - 5 pm, Ffynone, Boncath; Sunday 27th, 12 - 5 pm, Dyffryn Farm, Narberth.