This is the time of year when hundreds of us enjoy weekend trips to open gardens both large and small around the region.

But this year, due to the on-going pandemic, gardens are closed to the public and we're having to forgo our fix.

So we've decided to hold a 'virtual open garden' instead. Readers have been sharing pictures of their gardens, pots and window boxes.

And here is our first selection.

If you want to share a picture of your garden just to go to https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/my/ccn/questionnaire/hkco8QjX/ for our easy-to-use Q&A.

South Wales Argus:

These vibrant flowers are from Catherine Mayo's garden in Caldicot.

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Fish basking in the sun in Cwmbran. Sent in by Karen Tingey.

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Paul Shook's mum, from Blackwood, who is in her 80s and who loves her garden

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A beautiful border shared by Christine Norris, of Griffithstown

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David Barnes, of Chepstow, sent in this picture of his vegetable patch and packed borders.

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Patricia Morris, of Monmouth, sent in this picture of her patio and resident cow

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This beautiful lemon rose can be found in Rebecca Lee Morgan's Abertillery garden

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Yellow lillies from Nicola Mountjoy, of Trinant

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What a fun hedgehog planter from Sue Manning, of Pontypool

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And last but not least Michelle Kear of Newport shared this picture of a rather unusual plant for the area. She said: "My banana plant flower with mini banana hands. I had a banana flower in 2017 and again now in 2020. This plant is a runner from one single banana baby plant bought from the Eden Project around 20 years ago."