National Children’s Gardening Week is celebrated across the United Kingdom from the last Saturday of May to the following Sunday and this year, it is held from May 25 to June 2. British children from all over the country come together to celebrate the benefits and fun of gardening at home and at their schools. Events are promoted throughout the week, and there are various types of gardening competitions for the kids to take part in. The holiday is also held to support a charity that works in children’s hospices in the U.K.
History of National Children’s Gardening Week
The Horticultural Trade Association (H.T.A.) is a U.K.-based organization that has supported gardening-related businesses and manufacturers, as well as landscapers, throughout the region since its inception in 1899. During that time, 60 men came together to advocate for a better representation of horticultural experts in matters such as taxation and competitions. The H.T.A. is also responsible for the well-known National Garden Gift Voucher scheme, which was devised by the organization to promote the various businesses and independent producers that it supports.
Neil Grant, a radio presenter and garden expert, founded National Children’s Gardening Week in 2015, an event that takes place before the beginning of summer, at the end of May. The event encourages children to take part in gardening-related activities and events. Not only do children from across the U.K. take part in the celebration at home and at school, but by simply publicizing the event, they help many charitable organizations, such as Greenfingers Charity, which provides gardening services to children’s hospices, and Save the Children. In 2018, the H.T.A. assumed responsibility for the National Children’s Gardening Week main events. Neil Grant, the founder of the event, is also a member of the association.
The official website of the National Children’s Gardening Week provides resources for parents and teachers to partake in the celebrations. The website also promotes national events and competitions that take place during this week, such as a photography competition and even a caterpillar growing competition!
National Children’s Gardening Week timeline
60 men form the Horticultural Trade Association.
The National Garden Gift Voucher idea is first proposed.
The National Garden Gift Voucher is finally implemented and remains a popular scheme in the U.K.
The Horticultural Trade Association assumes the responsibility for the National Children’s Gardening Week's main events and promotion.
National Children’s Gardening Week FAQs
What month should you start a garden?
It’s best to start off at the beginning of fall and the end of summer. If you live in the northern hemisphere, that’s in September. If you live in the southern hemisphere, that’s in March.
How do you start off gardening?
Make sure you have enough space and sunlight for the plants you’re growing, then buy some seeds and get started!
What are the easiest vegetables to grow?
Some of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden are peas, radishes, carrots, and cucumbers.
National Children’s Gardening Week Activities
Make a mini garden
You can make a mini garden out of an old bowl by filling it with small pebbles and soil and planting some small seedlings! You can also add various decorations to make it just as lovely!
Do a treasure hunt
Gather your friends and family in a large garden or even a park, hide a cool object, and create your own treasure map. You will have so much fun on the hunt!
Make flower pressing art
You can pick flowers from your garden or buy flowers at a local store and put them inside very thick books for a day or two. When you open it again, you’ll have a lovely pressed flower you can use to create a lovely art piece!
5 Facts About Gardening You’ll Love
Talking to your plants actually helps
Studies have shown that sound waves and vibrations actually affect the way a plant develops and grows, so continue telling your flowers how beautiful they are!
There are many species of orchids
There are over 4,000 different species of orchids in the world, and around 1,500 of them are in Colombia!
Flowers can be as expensive as gold
A rose called the Juliet Rose once cost its gardener over three million dollars and took him 15 years to grow!
Greenhouses originated in Rome
The first greenhouses were built in ancient Rome, so the emperor could have cucumbers all year long!
It’s good for your health
Gardening actually helps your body stay healthy and reduces the risk of developing dementia by 30%.
Why We Love National Children’s Gardening Week
It supports sustainability
We often overlook the importance of green spaces and fresh plants for our physical and mental health in cities. This day is wonderful because it reminds us to live sustainably!
It’s all about the kids
We love being able to celebrate childhood and kids having fun! It’s the best time in our lives to enjoy everything nature offers and just have fun!
It supports charitable initiatives
National Children's Gardening Week is about more than just having fun with our children; it's also about providing the same experience to those who might not otherwise have access to it. The Greenfingers Charity promotes the therapeutic benefits of gardening in children's hospices throughout the United Kingdom.
National Children’s Gardening Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 28 | Saturday |
| 2023 | May 27 | Saturday |
| 2024 | May 25 | Saturday |
| 2025 | May 31 | Saturday |
| 2026 | May 30 | Saturday |
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