Tropical treat

The University of Bristol Botanic Garden has a special opening today, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. As well as seeing glasshouses filled with tropical and tender plants, visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens at 11am. Entry £3.50, with a donation requested for the tour.

0117 331 4912, bristol.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens

Last days of winter

Today is the final opportunity to see the magnificent snowdrop displays at Welford Park, near Newbury, Berkshire. The garden will be open from 11am to 4pm; entry £5. It will also be open for the National Gardens Scheme on May 20.

01488 608478, welfordpark.co.uk

No jackets required

On Tuesday, the plant centre at RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey, is holding a Grow Your Own Potatoes day, with experts on hand and more than 50 seed potato varieties for sale. There is also a Grow Your Own open weekend, with demonstrations and activities, on Saturday and Sunday.

Entry is free on Saturday, £8.50 on Sunday (RHS members free).

01483 211113, rhs.org.uk/wisleyplantcentre

Trustworthy advice

John Wood, head gardener at Hinton Ampner, a National Trust garden near Alresford, Hampshire, will be giving a talk on the basics of propagation on Saturday at 10.30am. The event will take place on the show site for Alitex greenhouses at South Harting, in West Sussex. Entry £10.

01730 826900

The cup that cheers

Take the chill out of potting-shed chores with a hot mug of tea or coffee. Grab a jolly specimen, for £3.75 from velvetstore.co.uk – biscuits not included.

Explore Gardens

• Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

• Chelsea Flower Show

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers