Gardening on a budget, spring growing tips and more
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A very Happy New Year from everyone here at the Campaign for School Gardening team! We can't wait to see what 2022 brings to school gardens across the country, helping young people discover the magic of growing and exploring the outdoors. Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be sharing some exciting new opportunities for you to get involved in as an individual gardening enthusiast, with your growing group or whole school - so keep an eye on your emails and our social channels for updates!
For now, it's time to start getting your gardening plans for the year together. To support you, we've collated our top tips for making your money go further, courses to help develop your knowledge, what to work on in the garden this term and more.
If you're keen to create a new school garden, or take an existing project to the next level but are worried about how to finance it, explore our 'Gardening on a Shoestring' guide for some money saving inspiration. Packed with advice on how to fundraise, upcycling what you already have and also tips on applying for grants, our guide is the perfect starting point for creating your dream garden on a budget.
Build you growing knowledge and confidence at one of our our face-to-face training courses this term. Held at locations across the country, and hosted by RHS experts, you'll leave the course with everything you need to create a thriving school garden, productive plot or creative gardening club.
With COVID-19 precautions in place at each of our courses, places are limited so book yours now to avoid disappointment.
Spring seed sowing
Explore the science and skills behind seed sowing across four sessions with our 16 activities. Start by choosing and sowing your seeds, then watch your students' knowledge develop as they learn how to prepare soil and pot up plug plants
Month-by-month guide to an edible garden
If you're looking for some grow your own guidance this spring, take a look at our month-by-month guide. From sowing, to planting and harvesting, explore the edible garden tasks from now until April in one handy place.
In the colder months, it's important to continue looking out for wildlife, especially birds who may be having difficulty finding food sources. Bird feed cakes are a fun and easy way for your students to get their hands dirty and help local wildlife at the same time. Pop your cakes outside and see which birds pay your school garden a visit.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (20 - 24 July)
If your school or youth group is based in the North, apply now for the chance to design and build an allotment plot. Together all the plots will create one large allotment that visitors can walk through and enjoy. To be considered, submit your application by Friday 4 March.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (4 - 9 July)
Exploring biodiversity, schools and youth groups (up to 11 years) in the South East are invited to create a wildlife home for a creature of your choice to join our Wild Town. Designs can be based on any theme as long as they make a happy home for wildlife! Applications close on Friday 4 March.
This month get your group together to plan what you want to grow in 2022. It's time to order your seeds, make sure your garden space is clear and harvest any crops that have been growing over the holidays.
Share your gardening stories with us!
We're looking for inspiring stories to share on our website and social media channels. If you've got some invaluable top tips to help new gardeners kick-start their growing journey or a creative gardening project, get in touch with us today to tell us more.
