Gardening: Spring into action at long last

IT was one of the few sectors to be considered immune to recessionary pressures – indeed, some had considered it recession proof. But the nation of 20 million gardeners has been hit by the ultimate act of God, the Great British weather.

However, with the weather improving, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) joined forces with the Royal Horticultural Society to urge people to get outside and fall back in love with their gardens during National Gardening Week.

Sowing wildflowers to make Britain beautiful and buzz with wildlife throughout the summer and promoting the breadth of horticultural careers – and the impact they have on the economy and environment – have been key themes for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) during the week, which ends tomorrow.

With the promise of improved weather just around the corner, gardeners can take advantage of a late spring as plants have a remarkable ability to ‘catch up’ on growth, so late spring planting, coinciding with early summer planting, will bring an explosion of colour to the nation’s gardens.

Garden centres have been fully stocked and are playing a key role in National Gardening Week.

Many have been hosting their own localised events suitable for all the family, including hanging baskets and container workshops, grow your own demonstrations and how to make a herb planter, with knowledgeable staff always on hand to answer any of your gardening questions.

HTA director general Carol Paris said: “Following a disappointing start to the year, there is a lot of pent up enthusiasm from the public who want to get outside and garden. We are delighted to support the RHS National Gardening Week which will kick-start the long overdue season.

“This also ties echoes the HTA’s ‘Spring into Summer’ campaign which aims to inspire consumers throughout the season.”

• To find out more about RHS National Gardening Week, please visit www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk