RHS initiative brings people together to sow and grow seeds

The RHS Big Seed Sow, a new initiative running every spring, aims to bring schools, community groups and individuals together to sow and grow seeds.

In its first year, a wide range of people took part in the programme, sharing both resources and gardening knowledge. From new growers to established community groups, participants dug in and forged new connections: hosting seed swaps, sowing sessions, community events and more.  

Supporting both new and experienced community growers, the spring programme offered seed support packages, containing five packets of seeds and guidance on how to take part, along with digital resources such as poster templates and activity ideas. Helping growers to create and share their own sowing moments, and producing an amazing national momentum.

Seeds included in the support packages ranged from plants and flowers to fruit and vegetables – encouraging participants to try growing their own food, which can be shared as part of the RHS Big Food Share. Thank you to Mr Fothergill’s for providing the thousands of seed packets that made the RHS Big Seed Sow possible.

RHS Community Champions, a team made up of schools, community groups and influential growers, were introduced during the event. They helped to spread the message around the benefits of growing from seed and to provide inspiration and support.

RHS Community Outreach teams hosted more than 20 seed sowing and growing events across the UK to bring local groups, schools and communities together, sharing growing knowledge and experiences across all different ages and backgrounds. More than 750 people attended these events, which included:

• Seed sowing workshops in a variety of NHS settings, including hospitals, GP surgeries and cancer centres
• An International Women’s Day Celebration in which groups created seed sowing pods and calming branches
• A partnership event with the RHS Trials Team to test seeds in the University Hospital Lewisham Wellbeing Garden

“Each seedling was given a number and accompanied by a poem, as well as a drawing, joke or positive message. Once found, we shared the positive impression it had made on someone’s day with the children,” said Sallie Walker, School Gardening Lead, Thundridge Primary School.