Kate's question on garden and house evaluation reminded me of a
programme I caught 5 minutes of, on preparing a garden for the Yellow
Book Scheme.

I may have got it completely wrong, but what it seemed to be saying was
that the owner's purpose was to raise money for charity through the
Yellow Book scheme, and was delighted in their first year's open day to
have raised £3000.

Earlier the presenter had made the comment that the owner had "invested"
£40,000 in the garden.

The thought sprang to mind "wouldn't it have been more cost effective to
have simply given £40,000 to charity?" Though they now have a garden to
enjoy, and some increase in value of the house, and the pleasure of
sharing their garden with other people. I dunno. I suppose the 14th Open
Day they will start to make a "profit" in monetary terms, and all the
other things do have a value.

I suppose, too, that naively I had imagined people had gardens which
they developed and maintained for their own enjoyment, which they then
shared with others and raised money for charity along the way. The
concept of deliberately investing in a garden just in order to open it
is alien to me.

But then I do know someone whose main purpose in redecorating his house
appeared to be to get into one of the house and home type magazines!
--
Kay