■ The Elgin Open Gardens in the Elgin and Bot River districts take place over two weekends, on Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30; and again on Saturday November 5 and Sunday November 6. Twenty gardens will be open this year. These range from large established country gardens to small town gardens. Many gardens will have plants for sale, and some will also offer teas and light meals. Other events in the district include art exhibitions, greenhouse tours and wine tastings, some in the gardens themselves. Full details with a map are in a free leaflet in all major Western Cape nurseries and can also be downloaded from www.elginopengardens.co.za. This is the 16th year of the Elgin Open Gardens scheme, which has inspired other gardeners with the range of plants that can be grown in the cooler and wetter climate of Elgin, an area renowned for its fynbos, its apples and wines, and its nurseries. Some gardens are free to enter while others charge between R10 and R30 Contact 021 844 0154, 078 021 2101, 083 458 3790 or info@elginopengardens.co.za for more information. Pictured is the Auldearn garden in Elgin.