IN a little village on the edge of the New Forest, a show is about to take place.

Months of work have gone into its preparation. Sets have been moved and improved, time juggled and the central stars encouraged and nurtured.

A 15-strong team behind the scenes will ensure everything runs smoothly. Parking for up to 200 cars will accommodate the hundreds of appreciative visitors.

But this is no theatre production. Instead, it’s marvellous garden, open in July and August as part of the National Gardens Scheme which has raised more than £25 million for charities over the last 10 years.

Choreographing the whole show are husband and wife team Peter and Yo Beech, who own Sandle Cottage near Fordingbridge.

Their three-acre stage is now set to bursting, with a riot of different flowers and plants all vying for attention.

As a perfect summer garden, everything is at its peak and the carefully chosen opening dates reflect the grounds at their best.

Yo’s first love are the sweet peas and you’ll probably catch their scent before you even see them.

As well as more informal planting, around 400 sweet peas are nurtured into prize-winning blooms on single stems. “They are an easy plant to grow, but a difficult plant to grow well,” Yo explained.

“They are a very fickle flower and could look superb one day and not quite right the next. We take off all the side shoots and tendrils to make sure we get the most out of them.”

Sandle Cottage is also proud of its 50 varieties of dahlia – ranging from the tiny Lilliputian with flowers no bigger than your thumbnail to dinner plate cactus and decorative varieties.

“The fuchsias generate a lot of interest, too,” explained Peter. “When they are on song they are big specimens and we hope they provide that all-important wow factor.”

Vegetables are grown traditionally in the walled kitchen garden, and three greenhouses are home to a number of different crops – including cucumbers and melons thriving in the humidity.

A woodland walk provides cool dappled shade even on the hottest days, while you can also enjoy fish feeding by the lake and waterfall, or a stroll on the formal lawn.

It’s hard to believe that when the couple moved to the property 23 years ago, there was no garden, only a stomping ground for cattle, and the original building was a stable serving the house next door. The former agricultural merchants retired 11 years ago, giving them much-needed time to improve their plot. “We retired on the Friday, and started work on the Saturday!” laughed Peter.

Now, in Sandle Cottage’s ninth year of opening, Peter and Yo still put in nine or 10 hours work a day – but allow themselves Sunday mornings off! Holidays are difficult but they try to go away in the autumn if they can.

Their hard work has paid off, however, as they have been voted one of the UK’s best water gardens and one of the top 10 cottage gardens according to Essential Water Garden.

“But every year for us is different as the growing conditions are constantly changing so the goalposts are always moving,” said Peter. “Two years ago, we lost all our potatoes to blight, for example, and this year, a particular variety of parsnip just didn’t take.

“We grow everything as well as it can be grown, and we are still learning all the time.”

Three resident cats – affectionately known as ‘the mouse team’ – have a big part to play in the success of the garden, keeping an eye on any pesky mice who may otherwise chomp their way through seeds and vegetables and make nests out of gardening materials. Visiting deer are also kept out with secure fencing.

Human visitors, however, are much more welcome!

Sandle Cottage has all types through its gates, from specialist gardeners to those who simply want an afternoon of fresh air or a cup of tea and cake under the apple trees.

“We would still put the work in, even without opening to the public,” said Yo. “But it’s lovely to be able to raise money for various charities and share our knowledge at the same time.

“In fact, we get asked so many questions, we are having a Q and A session this year!

“People are thirsty for knowledge and they drink everything in. It makes everything worth it when our garden is appreciated.”

  • Sandle Cottage, Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, SP6 1PY, will be open under the National Gardens Scheme on the following dates: Sunday July 12, 1.30pm – 5.30pm (Sandleheath Band playing); Sunday July 26, 1.30pm – 5.30pm; Sunday August 2, 1.30pm – 5.30pm. Admission: adults £3, children free. Tel: 01425 654638 E: ngs@sandlecottage.com W: sandlecottage.com