ELAINE and Robert Bilton are opening their gates for a series of open days at Dingle Farm in Appleton.

The garden has been built from scratch with free-flowing flower beds, a large pond, wild flower garden, lavender hedge, herb garden, vegetable patch and chicken run.

It is overlooked by the Dingle Farm tea rooms, art studio and gift shop.

Elaine and Robert are supporting the National Gardens Scheme – a major donor for nursing and caring charities – with open days over the next two weekends on August 2, 3, 9 and 10, from 10am to 5pm.

David Morgan asks the questions:

Describe the garden

Over the past three years the garden has been transformed from a disused farmer’s field into its present state.

The focus has always been to encourage wildlife by providing natural habitats including bird and bat boxes, wood piles, wild flower areas, lavender hedges, butterfly boxes and a natural clay pond.

Cottage garden planting has been kept to the areas around the old farmhouse, which makes it a popular subject for art groups.

Planting has been planned to provide waves of colour from early spring to late autumn.

The focal point of the garden has to be the pond which is home to a multitude of flora and fauna. The pond was dug out but it isn’t lined, it is the clay content of the land that holds the water in.

The pond is fed naturally by land drains making the water quality ideal for the wildlife.

Swathes of grass have been left to grow naturally with wild flowers to encourage insects and other wildlife. The mature trees of Fords Rough Wood form a backdrop, which gives the impression they are part of the garden; woodland planting at the bottom of the garden mirrors the woodland beyond.

What are your plans for the garden?

It’s still a work in progress, but developments will always have a positive ecological impact.

How did you get into gardening?

I’ve always been interested in artistic creation and gardening is an extension of this.

It’s about colour, texture and form, getting the right plant in the right position. Learning the Latin names for everything seems irrelevant!

What is your favourite feature and why?

Definitely the views, the garden has been planned so that wherever you are the view is worth stopping for.

Looking down the garden to Fords Rough, looking back up the garden to the pond and ivy clad farmhouse, looking across the garden through a bank of grasses with alliums, verbenas and agapanthus swaying in the breeze.

The garden benches are placed at the best vantage points.

Why do you enjoy gardening?

It’s a great way to relax, and then when you’ve finished you can stand back and admire your creation, it’s satisfying.

Have you suffered any garden catastrophes?

Not really, plants have died usually due to being positioned incorrectly but nothing catastrophic.

Any top tips for gardeners?

I would like someone else’s top tip for getting rid of slugs!

* Dingle Farm in Dingle Lane, Appleton, is open on August 2, 3, 9 and 10.

Admission is £3.