RHS School Gardening Awards
Level 3

Level 3 is about extending the range of plants you grow, keeping your plants healthy and using planet-friendly approaches when you garden

How do we achieve Level 3?

To achieve Level 3, you need to demonstrate the following:

  • We grow and can name a range of plants
  • We keep our plants healthy
  • We are planet-friendly gardeners

How do we apply?

Log in to your account to submit your evidence to reach the RHS Level 3 Award

children gardening

When your school is ready to apply for Level 3, please submit up to 100 words for each of the above criteria. Please show how at least 10 pupils have been involved when you submit your evidence. You are welcome to include quotes from children and young people as part of your submission.

Submit evidence for your school

Rewards

Once your school has achieved Level 3 of the RHS School Gardening Awards, you will receive the following rewards to promote and celebrate your achievement:

  • A certificate
  • A digital logo
  • State-funded schools will also receive a £50 National Garden Gift Card
School Gardening Award submissions are assessed twice a month, and rewards will arrive within 15 working days of successful assessment. If we need any further information to help assess the level, we will be in touch by email.

Information and resources to support your submission:

We grow and can name a range of plants

This is an opportunity to tell us about at least three plants children and young people are growing and can name. This might include:

We keep our plants healthy

What are children and young people doing to encourage healthy plants? This might include:

  • Adding compost or leaf mould to enrich the soil
  • Planting sun-loving plants in the sun and shade-loving plants in the shade
  • Thinning seedlings to give plants space to thrive

  • Putting mulch round plants to retain soil moisture
  • Protecting plants from slugs and snails, for example by encouraging more wildlife predators
  • Cleaning plant pots before sowing seeds or pricking out seedlings

We are planet-friendly gardeners

We can all help tackle the causes and effects of climate change. This might include:

  • Reducing, reusing and recycling garden equipment such as pots, labels and string
  • Using peat-free compost
  • Using a water butt or another container to collect and store rainwater

  • Planting drought-resistant plants
  • Planting a tree
  • Growing your own vegetables

Ready to progress?

Find out how you can achieve the next level.

Level 4 

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.