Health
Attention matters: Engagement with nature enhances restorative effects
Spending time in nature supports wellbeing, but research shows that how we pay attention during these experiences may matter just as much as the environment itself.
New Business
Healing through horticulture: Therapeutic Garden Tours
Therapeutic Gardening Tours (TGT) connects healthcare professionals with leading experts and gardens worldwide, showcasing how horticultural therapy enhances health, well-being, and professional practice.
Collaboration
Collaborative research on the impacts of floriculture on health & wellbeing
Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland has joined forces with the Wageningen University & Research to investigate the effects of flowers and plants on health and wellbeing.
Gardens
Sold down the plot: Allotments at risk?
Last weekend’s news reported a concerning story that the Deputy Prime Minister granted councils the authority to sell allotments to finance spending.
Charity
HRH The Princess Royal opened Horatio’s Garden Sheffield & East
Designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, the charity’s eight garden at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield has opened.
Health
Horticulture unites to push for removal of VAT on sunscreen
A coalition of horticulture and landscape industry organisations submit a joint letter to the Government, calling for the removal of VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Health
Horticulture professionals continue to experience wellbeing challenges
New research highlights worrying trends in physical discomfort, mental wellbeing, and financial confidence amongst those working in horticulture.
Events
Leigh Johnstone hosts fundraising event in support of Andover Mind
To raise funds for the Andover Mind Wellbeing Garden, Leigh Johnstone is hosting his inaugural Garden Gathering at the Longstock Park Nursery on the Leckford Estate.
Health
Survey results highlight importance of sun-safe preventative measures for horticulture workforce
Survey conducted amongst gardeners, growers and landscapers revealed that 12% had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer, of which, men were nearly twice as likely to have been diagnosed than women.
Plants
National Plant Health Week 2025: Being a good plant citizen
A collaborative campaign, National Plant Health Week aims to raise awareness, amongst the public and professional to safeguard the health of plants.
Health
In celebration of Green Medicine: NGS Gardens and Health week 2025
The National Garden Scheme is celebrating gardens and encouraging everyone to embrace the positivity of green spaces as part of their annual Gardens and Health Week in May.
Charity
Nearly £300,000 NGS funding for community garden projects
The National Garden Scheme announces the distribution of £294,260 of funding for 117 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People
Thomas Pearson becomes Trustee for Herefordshire Growing Point
Founder of garden pottery business becomes a Trustee for the Herefordshire charity that helps people living with physical and mental challenges to enjoy the benefits of gardening.
Environment
WWF Prescription for Nature campaign
Approaching Earth Day in April, the World Wide Fund for Nature campaign focusses on the connection between nature and mental wellbeing, highlighting local heroes driving positive change.
Events
Serge Hill Symposium: A Safe Green Space – Nature and Play
This year’s symposium at the Serge Hill Project will focus on the transformative relationship between nature, gardens, creativity, wellbeing and play.
Health
Horticulturists against skin cancer
Gardeners, growers, landscapers and those working outdoors are subject to high exposure to UV radiation and thereby amongst the most at risk to the dangers of skin cancer.
Health
Gardening is nature’s gym
The Horticultural Trades Association says gardening could be one of nature’s best workouts to improve physical health
Health
Gardens to fall in love with on Valentine’s Day
With a focus on a romantic day out, the National Garden Scheme’s new Valentine’s Day campaign serves as a reminder of the health benefits of visiting gardens in winter.
Charity
The gift of grasses
Working with its charity the Knoll Gardens Foundation, Knoll Gardens gift ornamental grasses to local community groups to create attractive spaces for benefit of the community and promoting wellbeing.
Charity
Record National Garden Scheme donations in 2024
2024 proved to be another landmark year for the National Garden Scheme with the charity donating a record £3,501,227 to nursing and health beneficiaries from this year’s garden opening season.
