Explore our December updates
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Blooming Brilliant News: Issue 20
As December brings colder and shorter days, you may find yourself with less tasks to complete in the garden. However, this is the perfect time of year to start planning new projects, looking to recruit more volunteers or finding creative ways to promote your group's work. We've got a whole host of online resources that have been put together with community gardening groups in mind - helping you transform your local areas through the power of plants and volunteering. Take some time this month to check them out and see what you can do to elevate your projects in 2022.
Shaping the future of Britain in Bloom
To ensure growing for the environment is at the heart of community projects, we're pleased to share a number of changes to Britain in Bloom - the UK's biggest and oldest community gardening competition. In the upcoming 2022 UK Finals, participating groups will need to demonstrate appropriate plant selections for year-round impact, evidence consideration for promoting biodiversity and employ ecological gardening practices.
With 91% of Britain in Bloom groups participating to improve the local environment, we're excited to see the new planting projects that these changes will encourage. From eliminating the use of peat, to reducing the reliance on mains water supplies and prioritising perennial planting, a spotlight on decreasing negative environmental impacts will lead the way for future Britain in Bloom entrants and their communities.
Take your gardening knowledge to the next level
Start your horticultural journey
Do you have a passion for gardening, nature and the great outdoors and are considering a career in horticulture? Earn while you learn with our two-year Horticultural Apprenticeships available at all five RHS Gardens. On the job training, and college learning, will provide you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed. No formal horticultural qualification or experience is needed to apply. Starting in August/September 2022.
Grow your skill set
Our early 2022 courses and workshops are now available to book online. Discover a new interest, or grow existing knowledge, with our programmes that offer something for all skill levels. Over the year, our gardens will continue to introduce workshops that will offer something new and exciting as the seasons change, as well as some familiar favourites.
Supporting pollinators during winter
Ensuring there are winter flowers in your community spaces is an easy way to provide bees and other pollinating insects access to the valuable pollen they need during the colder months. There are a number of plants you can add to your garden that will attract bees in winter, such as hellebore.
Sharing your community stories
The billboards site before planting
Lavender in bloom at the billboards site
The entrance to St George Park before planting
The new pollinator hub at St George Park
Transforming spaces for pollinators
This month, we're throwing it back to warmer days and celebrating the incredible work of St George in Bloom. To support pollinating insects, they have created two new hubs within the inner-city area of Bristol.
The first pollinator hub has transformed a neglected billboards site that was rundown and a hot spot for litter. After gaining permission to redesign the site, volunteers filled it with fragrant lavender plants, many of which were donated from a local garden centre.
Their second pollinator hub is situated at the entrance to St George Park, a busy location that makes it the perfect spot for visitors to spot the insects that are thriving amongst the new ornamental plants and grasses. From Cosmos and Salvia, to Calendula and Marjoram, the park's pollinator hub is full of flowering plants that provide important forage for a variety of pollinators.
Both sites are now flourishing thanks to the additional support of local businesses that have provided funding, planting and even a bench to help the community make the most of the sites.
Gardening jobs for December
December is the month to winter-proof your garden and make sure your plants and tools are protected. From insulating ponds to taking hardwood cuttings, explore our top ten jobs to get started.
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