JULIE Peckham’s lovely garden at Skelmanthorpe certainly impressed us when we judged it last year as one of the entries in the Examiner Garden of the Year competition.

So much so that Julie picked up second prize in the large garden section – at her first attempt at the competition.

Julie and her husband used their prize money to help buy a large pot for the garden as a permanent reminder.

You can see the pot and the many other fascinating features of her garden (pictured) when she opens it to the public on April 18 as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

“Along with every other garden, we have had a slow start to the season but the recent more spring like weather has moved the garden on and spring is here, if tentatively,” said Julie.

The garden, at Highfields, Manorstead, Skelmanthorpe will open on April 18 between 2pm and 5pm and again on Sunday May 23. Teas will be available.

This is a garden that is well worth a visit and since last year’s judging, the Peckhams have removed a shrub border and were intending to make an alpine garden.

“The alpine garden turned into a full rock garden, mainly because the stone we ordered from a local quarry turned out to be more than we anticipated!” said Julie.

“It now looks as if it has always been there. Anyway, after the work it took to move all the rock, it is not destined to be changed very soon.”