Gardening 'grow for it' message as Royal Horticulture Society week of celebration begins; Dobbies launches garden podcast as physical and mental benefits of gardening shared
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GARDENERS across Ross-shire are being invited to celebrate their patches of paradise no matter how modest during a major event starting today.
The Royal Horticulture Society’s (RHS) National Gardening Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of gardening, is going ahead this week regardless the coronavirus lockdown.
This year’s theme is Keep Gardening and Grow at Home, encouraging people to get gardening in whatever space they have, for the benefit of their mental and physical health.
Garden centre retailer Dobbies is launching a brand-new gardening podcast to encourage the nation to get green fingered this spring and summer.
The series is devoted to all things to do with plants and gardening, providing inspiration and handy tips for seasoned gardeners and novices alike.
Hosted by talented gardener and writer Louise Midgely, the series will welcome a guest each episode to chat all things gardening, sharing trusted advice, tried and tested techniques and handy tips to get the best out of your garden.
In the first episode, host Louise is joined by Dobbies’horticulture expert, Marcus Eyles. Drawing on their extensive experience, the pair discuss the best things to do in your garden this spring, covering beds and borders, lawn maintenance, the best produce to plant and grow now, and tips on how to prepare your garden for the summer ahead.
There will then be the chance to ask the experts questions directly with two Facebook Live Q&A sessions. Marcus Eyles will host on Wednesday, April 29 at 7pm, with a focus on grow your own. Louise Midgley will host on Friday, May 1 7pm with a focus on styling your outdoor space.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Spring is an excellent time to be in the garden and we’re delighted to launch our new podcast series and Facebook Live Q&A sessions to share expert gardening advice for National Gardening Week.
“Whether you are a keen gardener or just getting started, we hope the series and Q&As inspire people of all ages to get gardening, as well as positively impacting on their wellbeing, during National Gardening Week and beyond.”
RHS chief horticulturist, Guy Barter, said: “During these challenging and unsettling times when we are missing our family and friends, and our favourite places and activities, National Gardening Week takes on new meaning for many of us this year. While we all stay at home, the RHS is encouraging the nation to take to social media and share uplifting videos and images of their gardens, houseplants, allotments and even the trees and flowers that make them smile on their daily exercise, using the hashtag #NationalGardeningWeek, to help inspire everyone to keep gardening and grow at home.”
In addition to the podcast and Q&As, Dobbies will share advice and top tips on different elements of gardening throughout the week at dobbies.com, and on Facebook and Instagram.
Need to know
Dobbies’ podcast is available to listen to and download now via iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dobbies-our-gardening-podcast/id1509667463
Join the Facebook Live Q&As: www.facebook.com/DobbiesGC
For more information visit www.dobbies.com
The RHS will be creating films with beginner gardening advice for those who aren’t sure where to start – look out for these on the RHS Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.
For further information visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week
@HecMackenzie
