RHS & BBC create community garden

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC North West Tonight have joined forces to create a community urban garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park this July.

Inspired by a new generation of city gardeners, the RHS and BBC North West Tonight Community Urban Garden is being designed by 22-year old Bea Tann together with gardening collective Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD). The garden is set on a communal paved area and will feature plants chosen to absorb air pollution, an important element to create a healthy environment for residents, as well as raised beds for the neighbourhood to grow their own edibles.

Based in Manchester, Bea recently made her garden design debut as the youngest exhibitor at RHS Chelsea Flower Show with her Container garden, a small haven of woodland within an urban setting which gained her a prestigious Silver-Gilt medal. MUD are a non-profit social enterprise set up by a group of urban community market gardeners and volunteers with projects across Greater Manchester that utilises city spaces to grow food.

Bea explains more: “As someone who has lived all over the world and settled in a big city, I’m inspired by what makes a place unique, and how this can be transferred into garden design. As a young person just starting out in the profession I want to inspire others to get involved in gardening as it can bring so much happiness to people wherever they live, especially for those in towns and cities who might not have their own garden.”

Further community gardening groups and school allotments from across the north west region are taking part in the flower show, highlighting the importance of how gardening can bring people together for positive human and environmental benefits.

Lex Falleyn, Show Manager for RHS Tatton Park, added:

“We hope this year’s community gardens will offer practical ideas and inspiration for visitors to implement either in their own gardens or shared outdoor spaces. We’re so inspired by Bea’s enthusiasm and to see collectives like MUD encouraging young people to get involved in growing food in their local communities, as well as making our cities more green for both people and wildlife to enjoy.”

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park takes place from 20 to 24 July 2022, tickets available from rhs.org.uk/tatton