Spring has finally arrived, the days are getting warmer and soon enough the much-awaited annual jacaranda season will see thousands of trees across the city burst into purple blossom. This is also the time of year where some of Joburg's most beautiful private gardens open their gates to the public as part of the annual Gardens of the Golden City celebration. This year don't miss out on the following open garden days:

Sun Sep 30, Sun Oct 28 and Sun Nov 25
Lazy Days & Lawn Blankets at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel
You don’t need to be staying at the luxurious Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa to enjoy their beautiful gardens as the hotel hosts its annual 5-star picnics series throughout spring and summer. The decadent event includes a gourmet picnic hamper designed by Executive Chef Jandri Niemand, a welcome drink and live entertainment on the lawns throughout the afternoon. The Lazy Days and Lawn Blankets picnic takes place on the last Sunday of the month from 12:30–16:30.
Costs R450 per person.

Sat Oct 6 
A Blooming Affair at Roedean School
The impressive gardens of one of the city's oldest and most prestigious schools, Roedean School for Girls, open for the day with guided tours of the gardens, a gourmet food and craft market and a ‘champagne garden'. For over 35 years, the late Anne Lorentz created a magnificent garden of botanical interest at Roedean, which is most spectacular in spring as the thousands of flowers and shrubs burst into bloom.
Admission R50, kids under 12 free.

Thu Oct 11 – Sun Oct 14 
Beechwood Garden Market
Owned by Christopher and Susan Greig, the impressive Beechwood Gardens were originally laid out in 1945 by famed landscape architect Joane Pim and redesigned by the Greigs. They include a delightful sunken walled kitchen garden, a rose-covered colonnade, formal rose gardens, and graceful lawns that look out over willow tree fringed water gardens. The immense Water Oak in the garden is said to be one of the largest trees in Johannesburg. An artisanal market is open for the duration while Susan Greig, an extraordinary cook, serves up an alfresco luncheon with plenty of Champagne on Saturday and Sunday, for which booking is essential (email belinda@charlesgreig.co.za).
Admission R50, kids under 12 free.

Thu Oct 25 – Sun Oct 28
Glenshiel Christmas Fair
Heritage property Glenshiel opens its doors this weekend for the annual Glenshiel Christmas Fair, a fundraiser for the Order of St John. Admire the panelled rooms of this beautiful historic mansion, designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1910, and walk the wonderful gardens that overlook Joburg’s oldest suburbs while enjoying boutique wines and tasty food from the Food Marquee and shopping for Christmas gifts. 
Admission R50, kids under 12 free.

Sat Nov 3 – Sun Nov 4 
Gardens of the Golden City Ferndale and Fairland open gardens
The last weekend of the Gardens of the Golden City season sees two small private gardens open in west Joburg. The Barnards started developing their Ferndale garden at 166 Oak Ave in 2007 by planting more than 100 indigenous trees which include a ‘lane’ of mature tree aloes, as well as extensive flower beds with both exotic and indigenous foliage. Dalene Loubser’s garden at 206 Wilson Street, Fairland, includes a large formal rose garden, elegant stinkwood trees and a small tea garden serving refreshments.
Admission to each garden R30, kids under 12 free.