We’ve got lots of exciting plans for National Gardening Week this year. We'll be focussing on two main themes for the week; Horticultural Careers and Wildflowers.
Why is Britain going wild for Wildflowers?
We want to help the Nation plant wildflower meadows from mini-meadows in plant pots to transforming spaces in gardens. Some of our plans include hosting workshops at RHS Gardens and providing online advice, as well as our wildflower seed giveaway.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General says: “After enjoying the Olympic Park wildflower meadows in 2012 there is a great appetite from the British public to create their own version at home, which is great news for pollinating insects!”
Over the past 50 years we’ve seen a huge reduction in wildflowers in the countryside, which play a vital part in biodiversity and creating a habitat for pollinating insects. Gardens are increasingly recognised as important sources of nectar and pollen for insects. It has been estimated that the value of insect-pollinated fruits and vegetables grown in the UK is about £220 million a year. Encouraging people across the country to plant wildflowers will help protect their habitat.
The RHS has developed extensive advice on what to plant, visit RHS Plants for Pollinators and look out for the Plants for Pollinators logo in garden centres.
A career to be proud of
Horticulture is for drop outs, it’s unskilled and unfulfilling according to young people - these are the findings of a survey commissioned by the RHS. We’re concerned about this image problem and the looming skills gap threatening horticulture’s workforce. Last year we hosted a careers conference lead by Alan Titchmarsh to rally the industry into taking action. National Gardening Week 2013 will play a key role in helping organisations make a lasting impact on the image of horticulture and inspire more people to develop a career in the industry.
RHS Gardens will host interactive activities for school pupils and college students to get a taste of the breadth of horticultural careers on Thursday 18 April. Students will be able to interview scientists, botanists, TV presenters, curators, artists and people from across the horticultural world. For more information please email ngwcareers@rhs.org.uk.
How to get involved?
Stay tuned and we’ll be back with regular updates on how you can get involved with the National Gardening Week 2013 celebrations and with advice on how to organise your own community events.
RHS Vice President, Alan Titchmarsh, who supports the campaign, adds: 'This week is about highlighting the importance of gardeners and gardening. It’s also a chance to get the nation to consider just what part growing things can play in society.'
Read more from supporters of National Gardening Week