Gardening & Community Growing

Community gardening brings people together to grow plants, improve local green spaces, and build stronger neighbourhoods. With over 5,100 registered groups supported by the Royal Horticultural Society alone, there is almost certainly a gardening group near you — and joining is free.

RHS Community Programmes

The Royal Horticultural Society runs three main programmes that support community gardening groups across Britain. Each has a different focus, but all share the goal of improving local environments through gardening.

🌸 Britain in Bloom

The UK's longest-running gardening competition, with around 920 groups taking part. Britain in Bloom groups work together to improve their local environment through gardening, landscaping, and community engagement. Groups are assessed on horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility, and community participation. From small villages to major cities, Bloom groups transform public spaces with colour and creativity.

🏘️ It's Your Neighbourhood

With nearly 2,000 groups, this is the RHS's most accessible programme. It supports any community group working to improve their local area through gardening and environmental projects — from small street planters and school gardens to large community growing spaces. There is no competition element; instead, groups receive an assessment and feedback to help them develop.

🌿 Affiliated Societies

Over 2,200 local gardening clubs, allotment associations, flower arranging societies, and horticultural groups are part of the RHS Affiliated Societies network. Members benefit from shared gardening knowledge, events, talks, plant sales, and access to RHS resources including free group visits to RHS gardens. Any gardening club or community growing group can apply to become an Affiliated Society.

Why Get Involved?

Physical Health

Gardening provides gentle, regular exercise — digging, planting, weeding, and watering all build strength and flexibility without the intensity of sport.

Mental Wellbeing

Time spent growing plants reduces stress, improves mood, and provides a sense of purpose. The RHS Space to Grow report found gardening significantly benefits mental health.

Community Connection

Gardening groups bring together people of all ages and backgrounds. They reduce isolation, build friendships, and strengthen neighbourhood bonds.

Environmental Impact

Community gardens increase biodiversity, support pollinators, reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and create green corridors for wildlife.

Learning & Skills

Hands-on learning about ecology, plant science, food production, soil health, and seasonal cycles — knowledge that lasts a lifetime.

Free to Join

Most community gardening groups are free to join and welcome complete beginners. No experience, equipment, or garden of your own is needed.

The Chelsea Flower Show & Beyond

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19–23 May 2026) is the world's most prestigious gardening event, attracting over 150,000 visitors each year. It showcases cutting-edge garden design, rare plants, and horticultural innovation. But Chelsea is just the start — the RHS runs shows throughout the year including Malvern Spring Festival, Badminton Flower Show, Sandringham Flower Show, and the Botanical Art and Photography Show.

Community gardening groups often draw inspiration from these events, and many Britain in Bloom groups incorporate show garden ideas into their local projects. Getting involved with a local group is the perfect way to channel that inspiration into real growing.

How to Get Started

Search for groups near you using the listings below — we have over 5,100 registered groups across the UK

Contact the group through their listing page to introduce yourself and ask about getting involved

Turn up to a session — most groups welcome drop-ins and no prior experience is needed

If there is no group near you, the RHS can help you start one through their community gardening support programme

Types of Gardening Groups

Community gardening takes many forms. Here are some of the most common types of group you will find:

Allotment Associations

Groups managing shared allotment sites where members grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers on individual plots.

Horticultural Societies

Local clubs that organise talks, plant sales, garden visits, and annual shows. Often the social hub of a gardening community.

In Bloom Groups

Teams that plant and maintain public spaces — hanging baskets, roundabouts, parks, and high streets — to brighten their town or village.

Community Gardens

Shared growing spaces where people garden together, often on unused land. Many focus on food growing and run workshops.

School Gardens

Groups supporting school growing projects, teaching children about food, nature, and the environment through hands-on gardening.

Therapeutic Gardens

Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024

Find a Gardening Group Near You

Browse over 5,100 community gardening groups across the UK — search by location to find groups in your area.

Browse Gardening Groups →