The veg-growing army battling to protect food security

All over the UK a brigade of gardeners is helping to grow and preserve historic vegetable varieties to conserve their future – and ours. Concerned about the growth of industrial monocrops, and in the face of climate change and emerging diseases, these volunteer ‘Seed Guardians’ have been tasked with growing heritage seed varieties by Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library. The…

Swap your seeds

Growing our own vegetables relies on a good source of veg seeds and this can be a hefty annual expense. If we learn to save some of our own seeds we not only save money but over time we actually nurture varieties that do especially well on our own plots. Sourcing seeds locally is also a great way to fast…

The World on Your Windowsill

The Royal Horticultural Society is inviting families to uncover the World on Your Windowsill this February half term, with a week of fun family activities at each of the five RHS Gardens. From designing your own pot, to interactive storytelling walks with Garden Detectives, or growing your own Marimo pet, creative half-term events at the gardens are jam-packed with gardening…
Free trees courtesy of the Woodland Trust

FREE TREES FOR SCHOOLS

Just days away from the application deadline closing, the Woodland Trust still has 300,000 trees up for grabs as part of its free trees scheme. Schools or community groups can get their hands on these trees which can bring huge benefits – from boosting nature, combating flooding, providing shelter and reducing pollution. Steve Shill, senior project lead in woodland creation…

Fun and informative gardening on the move in brand-new podcast

Renowned gardening expert and regular contributor to Kitchen Garden magazine, Martin Fish has launched a brand-new practical gardening podcast. Pots & Trowels, or P&T, is packed with great advice on both edible and ornamental gardening and you can also hear regular interviews with gardening experts and specialist growers as Martin chats to them, often from the wonderful gardens and plant…

Monty Don awarded honorary degree from University of Stirling

Celebrity gardener Monty Don OBE has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling in recognition of his contribution to horticulture, broadcasting, and charity. Monty celebrated his honorary degree alongside 418 graduates at a ceremony on the Stirling campus today. Monty said: “I am flattered and delighted to receive this degree from the University of Stirling. Although I have…

FIGHT THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS

You can help build and support a community of organic growers across the UK to halt biodiversity loss, by donating to Garden Organic’s match-funded Big Give Christmas Challenge.  Every donation you make to Garden Organic between 28th November and 5th December – no matter the size – will be doubled, helping it make big changes to how our land is…

Garden Organic Awarded Coveted Title of National Plant Collection for Comfrey

The guardianship of the National Plant Collection for Symphytum (comfrey), has been awarded to sustainable growing charity Garden Organic by Plant Heritage.   This is a glowing accolade for the charity’s work documenting, developing and preserving a comprehensive collection at its organic demonstration gardens in Ryton near Coventry. It’s also the location of the Heritage Seed Library, which already has National…
In the Dutch Garden at Belton, the Father Time sundial is encroached by water. (C) National Trust

Storm Babet’s causes widespread damage to landscapes, gardens and properties says NT

Storm Babet’s widespread damage a taste of things to come, says National Trust Volume of water temporarily overwhelms hydro at Cragside in Northumberland Deluge erodes pathways in the Peak District Gardens and parkland waterlogged by swollen rivers, damaging bridges and children’s play areas Swift action by collections teams safeguards historic books and significant wallpaper at Hardwick Hall and Belton House…
Evelyn Community Gardens, Deptford, London (C) Paul Harris

Plant fruit trees this autumn! New partnership urges communities to dig in

Thousands of Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature pledged since June New partnership encourages communities to plant fruit trees this autumn Events, recipes and harvesting tips – join us to celebrate Apple Day on 21st October! Over 2,200 Coronation Gardens for Food & Nature pledged since June Communities are being encouraged to plant fruit trees and to revitalise community orchards…
The Tormentil mining bee is receiving help from an unlikely source

Cutting edge science in project to save endangered bees

A remarkable project to protect a unique ‘hopping’ bee facing extinction, having declined in number by more than 50% over recent years, is underway in Yorkshire.    The extraordinary collaboration between The Species Recovery Trust and Agritech innovators AgriSound is using a newly developed bespoke AI-driven algorithm to detect and protect a nationally rare and declining species of mining bee…