Next year?s National Gardening Week (30 April ? 6 May 2018) will focus?on encouraging people to share their passion for plants
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is moving National Gardening Week, the UK?s celebration of all things gardening, to run from 30 April to 6 May in 2018.
The gardening charity introduced the UK?s first National Gardening Week to run from 16?22 April in 2012.? The move to later in the year for 2018 is being made as the likelihood of better weather and more colour, with spring plants in bloom, will encourage more people to join in and mark one of the nation?s favourite pastimes.
Guy Barter, chief horticulturist of the RHS, said: ?Next year National Gardening Week will have been running for seven years, and we want to make sure it is as relevant, exciting and participative as it was from the first.? We have reviewed it and consulted with people in the RHS and externally and feedback is that this is a better time to celebrate and enjoy the very best of gardening.
?At the start of May the weather is sunnier, days are longer, the soil warmer and drier, while spring flowers are opening in earnest. By mid-spring the results of all the earlier work, edging, mowing planting, pruning and sowing for example, are more visible. Importantly there is still plenty of time to catch up if the season has ?run away? from you.?
For next year’s theme, ?Share Your Passion for Plants?, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is encouraging people across the UK to share their love of plants and gardening as widely as possible. The society is calling on garden centres, nurseries, garden clubs, societies and other organisations to host walks, talks and events, offer free advice, and join in the challenge for people across the country to create their own Passion for Plant Plots.
Registration is now open for next year?s event, with the chance for everyone to upload their events and activities to the website at www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk, and discover hints and tips for taking part.
The aim of National Gardening Week is to raise awareness of the diversity, richness and cultural value of the UK?s gardens, and to inspire new visitors to experience and enjoy them. The four RHS Gardens will be leading the campaign, with other gardens across the UK encouraged to take part.
