The Garden Game (1980) Board Game

The Garden Game is a board game released in 1980, designed and illustrated by Sarah Ponsonby. It is a card game centered around environmental and farming themes, appealing to players aged 12 and above. The game is published by The Garden Game, Ltd. and has a unique gameplay mechanism involving roll/spin and move, set collection, and trading.

Game Components of The Garden Game

Green card box: Serves as the game board, fastened with a velcro tab and opening out flat.

Polystyrene rectangles: Covered with printed paper, forming the playing board.

Gardens: Four gardens with slots for planting cards.

Card packs: Four packs – Seed Cupboard (65 cards), herb garden, fruit garden, flower garden, and kitchen garden, plus one emergency card.

Garden tools: Four tools placed in the Garden Centre marked Go.

Dice: Used for determining player turns and movement.

Compost Heap and Meteorological Office cards: Special cards for specific actions.

Act of God and Weather Report cards: Additional cards influencing gameplay.

How To Setup The Garden Game

To set up the game, players start by opening the green card box, which unfolds to form the rectangular playing board. The four garden tools are placed in the Garden Centre marked Go. Each player is dealt 11 seed packet cards, and the remaining seeds are returned to the Seed Cupboard. Players sort their hand into suits and numerical sequence. The game also involves choosing emblems and determining the starting player by throwing the dice.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card matching and set-making: Similar to the card game rummy.

Race game with dice: Players take turns throwing dice to move around the board.

Gardening simulation: Players aim to complete their garden by collecting and planting seeds.

Resource management: Players manage seeds, taking them from and returning them to the Seed Cupboard.

Special actions: Visiting the Compost Heap, Meteorological Office, and dealing with Acts of God.

Scoring: Points are awarded for completing sequences, planting compatible seeds, and achieving bonuses for a complete garden.

Player Experience

Playing The Garden Game is an engaging and educational experience, combining the excitement of a race game with the strategic elements of card matching. Players navigate the challenges of gardening, such as dealing with Acts of God and managing resources, all while aiming to be the first to complete their garden. The game is family-friendly and teaches valuable lessons about gardening and strategy.

Pros

Educational: Teaches about different types of gardens and gardening challenges.

Interactive: Combines dice rolling with card management.

Family-friendly: Suitable for players of various ages.

Beautiful design: The game features attractive and well-conceived graphics.

Cons

Complex rules: The game has multiple rules and components, which can be overwhelming.

Resource dependency: Players must manage seeds carefully to avoid running out.

Luck factor: The use of dice introduces an element of luck that may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on The Garden Game

The Garden Game is ideal for families and gardening enthusiasts who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck. It is a great way to introduce children to the concepts of gardening and resource management in a fun and interactive way. However, its complexity might make it less appealing to those who prefer simpler games. Overall, it is a unique and engaging game that stands out due to its thematic depth and educational value.

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