This year, National Gardening Week is between 29th April – 5th May! With the beginning of May fast approaching, our Essex retirement village thought we’d take a closer look at the joys of springtime gardening and share a few tips and activities that will get your green fingers covered in soil!

What Is National Gardening Week?

The theme for National Gardening Week in 2024 is ‘Knowledge is Flower.’ Run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) the week aims to raise awareness of gardening and horticulture, and to encourage more people to take part in the healthy and productive outdoor activity of gardening.

Celebrated since 2012, National Gardening Week has grown in popularity. Each year, people come together to share their love of gardening and plant culture! This week also raises awareness of the impact that gardens and gardening can make to our daily lives. It also helps to inspire the next generation of gardeners to experience the joy of creating beautiful green spaces.  

Find out more about the Royal Horticultural Society and how is it championing National Gardening Week here.
 

Inspiring everyone to grow
 

With the arrival of the spring season, the warmer weather means it’s the perfect time of year to get outside and enjoy getting back to nature! This National Gardening Week, anyone can get involved! Why not try a couple of these ideas?
 

Grow a herb patch  
 

During the spring, we’re more inclined to want to eat fresh crunch greenery and leaves! They also accompany sandwiches and burgers from the BBQ really well! Why not grow a little herb garden, full of the fresh salad you love to eat! There’s nothing quite as satisfying than eating your home grown produce! Our favourite herbs to grow include: chives, chard, parsley, basil, thyme, tarragon, mint and rosemary to name a few!
 

Enhance fertiliser  
 

If you’re looking for a way to ensure your plants grow like trees, why not enhance the soil they grow in? Collecting eggshells is an easy way to ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need, plus it’s sustainable! Simply break them up and scatter them over your plant soil.  
 

Grow sunflowers  
 

Sunflowers instantly give any outside space a sunny demeanour, even in springtime showers! At our Essex retirement village, sunflowers are one of our favourite flowers. Why not plant a few with neighbouring residents and see which one grows the highest? Perhaps you can all put £1 into a collection pot and the tallest sunflower grower could win the funds later in the summer!  
 

Create a scene
 

National Gardening Week is all about getting outside and tending to the garden, however, this doesn’t just have to be plants and flowers! This can also include elements like sand, rock, shells, wood, stones and garden accessories. Why not get outside and create a lovely scene to make a feature of a previously unused space? A beach scene, with a small rockery looks beautiful against a rustic wall or fence in the sunshine!  
 

What’s on in Essex?
 

Alongside creating your own gardening activities, there are also a few things going on locally. So, if you’re wondering what’s on in Essex this National Gardening Week, here are some ideas below:  
 

National Flower Show

From Friday 17 – Sunday 19 May, Hylands House and Estate will be filled with inspiration, flowers, plants and everything you need for your home and garden.

This year’s show includes the Outdoor Plant Village, the Food & Drinks Pavilion as well as a Home and Country Pavilion filled with a selection of original handmade giftware, jewellery and more – visitors can shop in abundance with hundreds of exhibitors at the show!

The theme for the National Flower Show 2024 is Hollywood at Hylands!

Walk the red carpet, pose for the paparazzi and discover the rooms of Hylands House each transformed into the world of movies and Hollywood glamour, giving films from the big screen a new, floral feel. Curated by Award winning floral designer Mig Kimpton, the captivating displays will pay homage to James Bond, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and an explosion of superheroes, all decorated with exquisite flowers, plants and foliage.

The National Flower Show will be open from 9am – 5pm at Hylands House, Chelmsford from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May 2024.  

Find out more about The National Flower Show at Hylands House here.
 

Stowe Garden – National Trust  

Just outside of Essex is Stowe Garden in Buckinghamshire. This National Trust vicinity has plenty going on during National Gardening Week! There are a whole host of activities to enjoy with your family, plus gardening on the grandest scale on this Georgian landscape and park! Upcoming events include:

Wildlife Walks: 23rd – 30th April

Go in search of cornflowers, fritillaries, orchids, cowslips, trefoils, etc. Learn about how the National Trust manages the gardens and parkland for nature.

Early Bird 'Dawn Chorus' Walk: 1st May

Experience the magic of Stowe at dawn. Watch the sunrise and listen to the dawn chorus as you walk around the garden.

Wildlife friendly gardening craft day: Saturday 4th May, 11am - 3pm

Come along to have fun getting crafty whilst helping make your garden a home for wildlife!

Find out more about Stowe Gardens here.
 

Explore Burnham Waters
 

Sounds like a fun-filled week to us! Perhaps you’re looking to move to greener pastures and make the transition to an Essex retirement village? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Simply send us an email at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk, or fill out our contact form for a downloadable brochure.  

Our Marketing Suite is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 3pm. Simply call our sales team on 01621 861559 to arrange an appointment.  

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