On Sunday 12^th May 2019 a community benefit project, will be launching across the UK. At the peak of the horticultural season, Garden Day - which originated in Somerset in 2017 - will encourage people nationwide to down tools and spend the day celebrating their gardens with friends, family and neighbours.

Anyone and everyone can get involved – from the family gardeners and allotment aficionados, to the urban house plant enthusiasts – by hosting celebrations at home. Whether it’s tea and cake, a plant swap or a more-the-merrier lunch, parties of all shapes and sizes are encouraged.  The aim of the day is simply to celebrate the Spring season, along with the mental and physical benefits and enjoyment that our plants and green spaces bring us all year round.

Enthusiasts are encouraged to show their support by making and wearing flower crowns and workshops and events demonstrating how to do this will be taking place in the run up to the big day. Some familiar faces will be showing their support and getting involved as well.

The positive impact of gardens on wellbeing is something that is increasingly being recognised by our major institutions. Last year, the Royal Horticultural Society teamed up with the NHS to produce research that showed the positive impact that gardens can have on mental health. What’s more, in acknowledgement of the role gardens can play in combatting loneliness and social isolation, the government has also recently pledged an extra £1.8 million in funding towards community gardens in order to encourage people to come together. This is why awareness-raising initiatives such as Garden Day are so important.

Acclaimed gardening expert, Charles Dowding says “Garden Day is a great opportunity to enjoy our garden work in a more conscious way, see beds and borders from a different perspective and gain inspiration from others.”

Garden Day was created and funded by Candide - a new gardening app that connects  gardeners with fellow plant-lovers, public gardens and plant nurseries. It aspires to be the gardener’s best friend with a knowledge base of plants, news articles, plant identification, growing tips and garden tours.

To get involved, visit www.gardenday.co.uk to download a toolkit with hints and tips on how to celebrate Garden Day and various how to videos. Follow @GardenDayUK and #GardenDayUK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and be part of the movement.