RHS gardens to celebrate National Gardening Week 2017
Spring is a time for renaissance in gardens as they awaken from their winter sleep and it is certainly the perfect season to explore the beauty of outdoors an celebrate the nation’s National Gardening Week, (10th to 16th April 2017) says the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
The theme for 2017 will be ‘Help New Gardeners Grow’ and the RHS hopes to inspire home gardeners to gain new green skills and reap the many health benefits of growing plants and being active outdoors.
Throughout National Gardening Week, all four RHS Gardens will host activities to showcase the benefits of gardening and inspire new gardeners to engage with nature at all levels, from the kitchen windowsill to container gardening, alongside many other projects. The RHS is also encouraging other organisations across the UK to get involved and hold their own events from spring walks to gardening workshops.
There are a number of activities planned across the four RHS Gardens (Wisley, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall and Rosemoor) during that week with something for seasoned garden enthusiasts as well as complete beginners.
On Sunday 9th April, the four RHS Gardens will offer families plant cuttings to grow at home and there will be demonstrations of how to grow a money plant from a single leaf. Workshops and Q&A sessions with garden experts will take place at all RHS Gardens throughout Easter.
On Thursday 13th April, visitors will be encouraged to bring along their house plants to a ‘Houseplant Hospital’ at RHS Gardens, where specialists will advise on the best remedies and solutions for treating poorly plants.
Curator of RHS Garden Wisley, Matthew Pottage, points out that during this special week in the gardening calendar, they are hoping to inspire those who have never grown a plant or are a little hesitant about gardening to try their hand at this rewarding activity.
A survey commissioned by the RHS in 2014 found that getting people outdoors and gardening improves their mental and physical health, as 95% of UK adults said that being in a garden lifted their moods. The aim of National Gardening Week is to raise awareness of diversity, richness and cultural value of the UK’s gardens and to inspire new visitors to experience and enjoy them.
Full details of all events taking place during National Gardening Week can be found on www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk
Photo credits: Banner: Robinson Gardens in Spring at RHS Garden Hyde Hall ©RHS/credit Lee Beel
Centre photograph: ©RHS/credit Jason Ingram
