As a leading children’s gardening educator, Lee Connelly will spearhead National Children’s Gardening Week which aims to inspire children’s curiosity and nurture a new generation of gardeners across the country. The campaign promotes gardening to the public and encourages garden centres across the UK to hold engaging events throughout the week to connect a new generation with the joy of gardening.
Supported by the UK garden industry, National Children’s Gardening Week was spearheaded by Neil Grant, Managing director of Ferndale Garden Centre and BBC Radio Sheffield’s garden expert. Now an annual festival of gardening fun, the initiative is embraced in homes, schools, and community groups across the country. National Children’s Gardening Week supports Greenfingers charity, dedicated to providing magical gardens for children in hospices suffering from life limiting illnesses.
A published children’s author, Connelly’s commitment to teaching the next generation of gardeners led him to found School Gardening Success, an initiative is dedicated to bringing comprehensive gardening education to primary schools across the UK.
“I’m so excited to be partnering with National Children’s Gardening Week this year as an official ambassador and taking our school tour on the road! Gardening has the incredible ability to inspire, educate, and bring joy to children, and this tour is all about getting thousands of kids’ hands in the soil, sparking a lifelong love for growing. Together, we’re championing the importance of school gardening and encouraging more families to create special memories through gardening. I can’t wait to see the impact we create!” said Connelly.
As part of his ambassadorial role, Connelly will lead the 2025 UK School Gardening Tour, sponsored by the HTA’s National Garden Gift Card scheme. He is set to visit selected schools across the country, bringing hands-on gardening experiences to thousands of children. With a mission to engage 10,000 young gardeners, the tour aims to cultivate a love for nature, sustainability, and outdoor learning, to reinforce the importance of gardening in education and childhood development.