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Life gets busy, and the garden doesn’t always come first. National Gardening Week is your nudge to slow down and do something simple outdoors. Even if you only have time to plant one thing, it still counts. Read on to get involved and make your space look better.
What Is National Gardening Week?
National Gardening Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of gardening. Started in 2012 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), it has one goal: to get people outside to:
- grow plants
- make the most of whatever space they have
The idea is to show that anyone can garden. The week also highlights how green spaces, big or small—in and out, can do wonders for mental and physical health. It’s also a great time to bring people together and support local produce and wildlife.
When & Where Does National Gardening Week Take Place?
National Gardening Week 2026 runs from 27 April to 3 May across the UK. There’s no single venue for it. It happens wherever people grow. You’ll see activity in private gardens, local parks, schools, and community plots. Some councils and garden centres also run open days or workshops to help people get started.
You don’t have to go far to take part. It can be as simple as spending extra time in your own garden or joining a small local event. With the goal in mind, this is open for beginners and regular growers.
How to Get Involved During National Gardening Week
Here are things you can do:
Help out some local wildlife
Try planting native flowers, letting a corner of your garden go a bit wild. Leave grass long, don’t tidy every bit, and put up bird feeders or insect hotels. The RHS “Plants for Bugs” found that gardens with more such plants saw more kinds of invertebrates.
Pick up some litter
Okay, this might sound simple and doable, but yes, it does help. Walk around your garden or nearby paths and clear up waste. That could be plastic wrappers, broken pots, or stray nets. When litter ends up in drains or is blown into hedges, it harms wildlife and soil.
In the UK, over 90% of streets surveyed in some areas had litter.
Open your garden for viewing
Invite neighbours and community groups. Or join the National Garden Scheme and open your garden to others. You’ll get fresh ideas, share tips, and help build a friendly gardening community.
Did you know? Opening your garden via such schemes has helped raise millions for good causes across the UK!
Sell what you’ve grown
Got more courgettes or herbs than you can use? Sell or swap them locally. You can do this through village markets or community groups. It’s a good way to meet people, reduce food waste, and earn a few pounds back from your garden.
Plant in your gutters
Space can be limited, but gutters work well for small plants. Fix them, add drainage holes, and fill them with herbs, strawberries, or flowers. It’s an easy way to turn a plain wall or fence into something green and lively.
If you’d rather start small, windowsill pots do the trick. Herbs like basil or mint grow fast and need little care, a simple start before moving to outdoor planting.
How Does Gardening Help?
Gardening is more than a weekend hobby, and when done right, you get rewards that go beyond the plants. It has its own unique way of improving things, including:
Improves mental health
Gardening gives your head some space. You can be more focused and feel less overwhelmed, and that helps cut through stress. Studies have linked regular time in the garden to lower anxiety and better mood. It’s the mix of daylight, movement, and fresh air that can help you feel better after even half an hour outside.
Boosts physical activity
Gardening tasks make your body move in different ways. You stretch, squat, carry soil, dig, pull weeds—all in short bursts. Over time, that adds up to better strength, flexibility, and stamina. Because you set your own pace, it feels less like a gym session and more like useful work – can’t say fairer than that!
Provides fresh food and herbs
Homegrown food tastes better because you pick it when it’s ready. You also know exactly how it’s been grown. Even a small patch or a few pots can supply fresh herbs or salad leaves. It saves a few trips to the shop and cuts waste too.
Supports biodiversity
A healthy garden supports more than plants. Bees, butterflies, and birds rely on it for food and shelter. Letting a few wildflowers grow or planting native species can do a lot. When more gardens do the same, local wildlife stands a better chance.
Makes space cleaner and greener
Healthy gardens make better neighbourhoods. Plants filter out dust, cool the air, and stop soil from washing away when the weather turns. More green spaces mean calmer streets and cleaner air for everyone nearby.
There’s no single way to take part in National Gardening Week. You can always add your own ideas beyond the ones in this guide. Be it helping a neighbour with their garden or starting a small project at home.
Keep an eye on the RHS official website for updates on 2026 events. And we’ll do our best to keep this guide updated for you, too.
Read this next: Why Gardening Is Good for You: The Benefits
