College Gardens
Home - Spring Fair - What's On - College Gardens
28 April – 30 April 2023
at Beaulieu, Hampshire
College Garden competition
Returning for a second year, three horticultural colleges will be competing at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, each with a budget-friendly garden design based on the theme ‘Gardening in a Challenging Climate’.
2024’s competing institutions are reigning champions Merrist Wood, Capel Manor, and Plumpton College.
All of those taking part will be mentored by award-winning garden designer Cherry Carmen, whose accolades include a Gold Award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
Take a peek at Merrist Wood and Capel Manor’s entries below, with more to come from Plumpton College!
Merrist Wood College, ‘Equilibrium’
We have imagined an outdoor green space for someone who is interested in finding new ways to enjoy their garden in our changing climate. The plot is part of a larger garden and will be a place to enjoy and protect wildlife as well as experimenting with different ways of planting. The plot will consist of two main planting areas. One side will seek to demonstrate drought tolerant planting and the other side will look at overcoming the challenges of planting within an area that could be susceptible to flooding. Plentiful, multi-layer planting will illustrate important key plant design choices in the two separate and very different areas of the garden, either side of a loose path. A wide range of plants will be used, from those requiring wet conditions, to those requiring dry conditions. From tall fastigiate trees to tiny ferns. We want to emphasize that using a wide range of plants is important for improved biodiversity. We want to encourage people to plant more plants in their gardens, as every extra healthy plant is beneficial, not only for us, but very importantly for wildlife.
Being conscious of budget and the positive environmental impact gardens can have, the hard landscape materials in our garden will mainly be recycled, repurposed, or reinvested. A living roof with a dual purpose will act as a means to collect rainwater that can be used on the garden. One item will be given greater importance, to turn it into an “objet d’art”. Some of our plants will have been grown at college by learners studying Horticulture.
We want to inspire and influence homeowners and gardeners, by showing that this world challenge can become an opportunity for each of us, individually and collectively. Through careful design choices, often simple changes at a local level, we can all incorporate strategies that can help ease the effects of what is a challenge for the world. Climate change.
Capel Manor College
Keep your eyes peeled for more information to come!
