Lockdown
gardening

Growing
communities
in the pandemic

RHS Lindley Library and RHS Communities Team

Penrith Community Gardeners with their COVID memorial border, May 2020.

Penrith Community Gardeners with their COVID memorial border. Credit: Coordinator Penrith Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

Penrith Community Gardeners with their COVID memorial border. Credit: Coordinator Penrith Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

In these uncertain times, more and more of us have found comfort in gardening. For many, growing and caring for plants has been a lifeline during lockdown – with an estimated 3 million new gardeners appearing in the UK since the first restrictions in March 2020.

  • Image: Young gardener during lockdown at Low Moor Kids Allotment in York. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

But lockdown gardening has not just taken place in isolation. In a recent RHS poll, 91% of UK community gardening groups said they had remained active despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Last year, in partnership with the RHS Communities team, RHS Libraries put out a call to some of these resourceful and inspiring groups. We asked them to share their experiences of continuing to grow together during COVID-19. How had they supported their local communities through gardening? What had they learnt? What had been most challenging? The aim: to create a permanent record of this extraordinary moment in our gardening history.

  • Image: Members of the Horticultural Therapy Trust in Plymouth. Credit: Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Young gardener during lockdown at Low Moor Kids Allotment, York, 2020.
Horticultural Therapy Trust, Plymouth, 2020.

In these uncertain times, more and more of us have found comfort in gardening. For many, growing and caring for plants has been a lifeline during lockdown – with an estimated 3 million new gardeners appearing in the UK since the first restrictions in March 2020.

Image: Young gardener during lockdown at Low Moor Kids Allotment in York. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image: Young gardener during lockdown at Low Moor Kids Allotment in York. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

But lockdown gardening has not just taken place in isolation. In a recent RHS poll, 91% of UK community gardening groups said they had remained active despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Last year, in partnership with the RHS Communities team, RHS Libraries put out a call to some of these resourceful and inspiring groups. We asked them to share their experiences of continuing to grow together during COVID-19. How had they supported their local communities through gardening? What had they learnt? What had been most challenging? The aim: to create a permanent record of this extraordinary moment in our gardening history.

Image: Members of the Horticultural Therapy Trust in Plymouth. Credit: Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image: Members of the Horticultural Therapy Trust in Plymouth. Credit: Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany, 1917.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Dig for Victory photograph - full caption to follow.

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. Credit: Hilary Kincaid / RHS Lindley Collections.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham in 2020. Credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York in 2020. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland in 2020. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany, 1917.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Dig for Victory photograph - full caption to follow.

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. Credit: Hilary Kincaid / RHS Lindley Collections.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham in 2020. Credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York in 2020. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland in 2020. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Gardening in crisis: Creating a record

People have long turned to gardening in times of crisis. The RHS Libraries collections include many stories of growing in extreme circumstances – from the WW1 prisoners of war who grew beautiful gardens in their prison camps, to the millions of people who came together across the country to grow their own fruit and veg during the WW2 Dig for Victory campaign.

The emergency gardening of the past has a lot to teach us today, from early examples of horticultural therapy to the roots of the ‘grow your own’ movement.

Capturing the experiences of today’s lockdown gardeners is just as important.

They share many of the motivations of earlier crisis gardeners: growing food for the community, connecting with nature, cultivating friendships, promoting wellbeing at a time of stress, creating a sense of hope… Perhaps most importantly, they show the power of growing together in very difficult circumstances. 

Read on to meet some of the inspiring groups who contributed to the lockdown gardening project. Their stories have been added to the RHS Libraries collections as a lasting record for future generations.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany, 1917.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. 

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. Credit: Hilary Kincaid / RHS Lindley Collections.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. 

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham in 2020. Credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York in 2020. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland in 2020. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany, 1917.

Two prisoners of war stand alongside a flower bed at Ruhleben internment camp in Germany in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. 

Audrey Cooper with her sons, Richard and Jeremy, in their garden in Kent during the Dig for Victory campaign, 1940. Credit: Hilary Kincaid / RHS Lindley Collections.

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. 

Members of Ruhleben Horticultural Society in 1917. Credit: RHS Lindley Collections.

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham. 

Vegetables grown in Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham in 2020. Credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York.

Two partcipants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment in York in 2020. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland 

Young people on the Friends of Fulwell allotment in Sunderland in 2020. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Gardening in crisis: Creating a record

People have long turned to gardening in times of crisis. The RHS Libraries collections include many stories of growing in extreme circumstances – from the WW1 prisoners of war who grew beautiful gardens in their prison camps, to the millions of people who came together across the country to grow their own fruit and veg during the WW2 Dig for Victory campaign.

The emergency gardening of the past has a lot to teach us today, from early examples of horticultural therapy to the roots of the ‘grow your own’ movement.

Capturing the experiences of today’s lockdown gardeners is just as important.

They share many of the motivations of earlier crisis gardeners: growing food for the community, connecting with nature, cultivating friendships, promoting wellbeing at a time of stress, creating a sense of hope… Perhaps most importantly, they show the power of growing together in very difficult circumstances. 

Read on to meet some of the inspiring groups who contributed to the lockdown gardening project. Their stories have been added to the RHS Libraries collections as a lasting record for future generations.

Photographs from Friends of Starbank Park.
Photographs from Friends of Starbank Park.
Photographs from Remote Rainbows Project.
Photographs from Remote Rainbows Project.
Photographs from Royal Wootton Bassett Men’s Shed
Photographs from Friends of Starbank Park.
Photographs from Friends of Starbank Park.
Photographs from Remote Rainbows Project.
Photographs from Remote Rainbows Project.
Photographs from Royal Wootton Bassett Men’s Shed

Gardening from a distance

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for community gardeners and none more so than social distancing. How do you carry on gardening ‘together’ while staying apart?

Many groups found their own rhythm with ‘socially distanced’ gardening. Others discovered new opportunities in the digital world, sharing their activities online and providing educational resources remotely.

Friends of Starbank Park in Edinburgh

“We have continued our social distanced gardening making Starbank Park beautiful for all the community. People generally take their own gardening tools and hold responsibility for gardening in an area in the park.”
  • Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park  / RHS Lindley Collections

“We hold zoom meetings for overall garden plans and send each other more messages than before! We have come together in these more difficult times to support each other more than ever.”
  • Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park  / RHS Lindley Collections.

Remote Rainbows Project in Durham

“Everyone was gardening and enjoying nature within their own home environment rather than a community space, however all achievements were celebrated and shared together.”
  • Images: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project.
  • Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

“Our members have also been keen to help others and have made gifts for neighbours, friends and family, thanked essential workers and sent 'thinking of you' messages to older people within the community.”
  • Image: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project.
  • Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

The Royal Wootton Bassett “Men’s” Shed

“We are all looking forward to returning to our shed albeit in a different format. I have created a special wheeled trolley to accommodate all the necessary PPE items for our return. Gloves, masks, visors, Hand sanitizer, disinfectant etc etc all of which is to keep our members safe and raring to go forward working within the community.

I think gardening for some was in fact a lifeline, just to get a bit of normality  into ones life and not to think of Covid for a short period.”
  • Images: Gardening projects by members of the Royal Wootton Bassett Shed.
  • Credits: Albi Richardson / Phil Howell / RHS Lindley Collections.

Background image
Background image

Gardening from a distance

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for community gardeners and none more so than social distancing. How do you carry on gardening ‘together’ while staying apart?

Many groups found their own rhythm with ‘socially distanced’ gardening. Others discovered new opportunities in the digital world, sharing their activities online and providing educational resources remotely.

Friends of Starbank Park in Edinburgh

“We have continued our social distanced gardening making Starbank Park beautiful for all the community. People generally take their own gardening tools and hold responsibility for gardening in an area in the park.”

Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park / RHS Lindley Collections

Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park / RHS Lindley Collections

“We hold zoom meetings for overall garden plans and send each other more messages than before! We have come together in these more difficult times to support each other more than ever.”

Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images credit: Friends of Starbank Park / RHS Lindley Collections.

Remote Rainbows Project in Durham

“Everyone was gardening and enjoying nature within their own home environment rather than a community space, however all achievements were celebrated and shared together.”

Images: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project. Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project. Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

“Our members have also been keen to help others and have made gifts for neighbours, friends and family, thanked essential workers and sent 'thinking of you' messages to older people within the community.”

Image: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project. Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image: Participants in the Remote Rainsbows Project. Credit: The Cheesy Waffles Project & The Wider World Project / RHS Lindley Collections.

The Royal Wootton Bassett “Men's” Shed

“We are all looking forward to returning to our shed albeit in a different format. I have created a special wheeled trolley to accommodate all the necessary PPE items for our return. Gloves, masks, visors, Hand sanitizer, disinfectant etc etc all of which is to keep our members safe and raring to go forward working within the community.

I think gardening for some was in fact a lifeline, just to get a bit of normality  into ones life and not to think of Covid for a short period.”

Images: Gardening projects by members of the Royal Wootton Bassett Shed. Credits: Albi Richardson / Phil Howell / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Gardening projects by members of the Royal Wootton Bassett Shed. Credits: Albi Richardson / Phil Howell / RHS Lindley Collections.

Growing together background
Photographs from Low Moor Kids Allotment.
Photographs from Crow Wood CIC.
Photograph from the Horticultural Therapy Trust.
Photograph from the Horticultural Therapy Trust.
Growing together background
Photographs from Low Moor Kids Allotment.
Photographs from Crow Wood CIC.
Photograph from the Horticultural Therapy Trust.
Photograph from the Horticultural Therapy Trust.

Growing together

Another very real impact of the pandemic has been social isolation and loneliness. Many gardening groups found creative ways to continue reaching out to their neighbours and communities. Even through successive lockdowns, they worked hard to bring different generations together and to forge new friendships.

Planting together and connecting with nature remained a much-needed source of calm and solace at a difficult time. 

Low Moor Kids Allotment in York

“Allotment club is the highlight of our week. It’s exciting to see what’s changed and how nature continues regardless of lockdowns. Despite not being able to do this together we still enjoy sharing our photos, joys and experiences afterwards.”
  • Images: Participants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment.
  • Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Crow Wood CIC in Derby

“A highlight was our weekly Big Plant Giveaway - we set up outside a local foodbank to giving people herb and vegetable plants. We had lots of brilliant conversations, and were able to not only inspire and encourage people to grow their own, but learnt from other people about growing and cooking with produce.”
  • Images: Growing activities at Crow Wood CIC.
  • Credit: Crow Wood CIC/ RHS Lindley Collections.

The Horticultural Therapy Trust in Plymouth

“Because of social distancing, it was harder to have private conversations as we had to sit so far apart, but if needed there was always space and other participants would sense to keep away, which comes from care towards each other.”
  • Image: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants with RHS certificates recognising their continued growing activities during COVID-19.
  • Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

“We got through it. What helped was that everyone knows they are not being judged by others… The Horticultural Therapy Trust is a Haven. It’s somewhere where I feel able to try.”

“The Horticultural Therapy Trust is a ‘lifesaver’ to my heart, mind and soul.”
  • Images: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants.
  • Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.
Background image.
Background image.

Growing together

Another very real impact of the pandemic has been social isolation and loneliness. Many gardening groups found creative ways to continue reaching out to their neighbours and communities. Even through successive lockdowns, they worked hard to bring different generations together and to forge new friendships.

Planting together and connecting with nature remained a much-needed source of calm and solace at a difficult time.   

Low Moor Kids Allotment in York

“Allotment club is the highlight of our week. It’s exciting to see what’s changed and how nature continues regardless of lockdowns. Despite not being able to do this together we still enjoy sharing our photos, joys and experiences afterwards.”

Images: Participants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Participants at the Low Moor Kids Allotment. Credit: Angela Johnson / Low Moor Kids Allotment / RHS Lindley Collections.

Crow Wood CIC in Derby

“A highlight was our weekly Big Plant Giveaway - we set up outside a local foodbank to giving people herb and vegetable plants. We had lots of brilliant conversations, and were able to not only inspire and encourage people to grow their own, but learnt from other people about growing and cooking with produce.”

Images: Growing activities at Crow Wood CIC. Credit: Crow Wood CIC/ RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Growing activities at Crow Wood CIC. Credit: Crow Wood CIC/ RHS Lindley Collections.

The Horticultural Therapy Trust in Plymouth

“Because of social distancing, it was harder to have private conversations as we had to sit so far apart, but if needed there was always space and other participants would sense to keep away, which comes from care towards each other.”

Image: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants with RHS certificates recognising their continued growing activities during COVID-19. Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants with RHS certificates recognising their continued growing activities during COVID-19. Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

“We got through it. What helped was that everyone knows they are not being judged by others… The Horticultural Therapy Trust is a Haven. It’s somewhere where I feel able to try.”

“The Horticultural Therapy Trust is a ‘lifesaver’ to my heart, mind and soul.”

Images: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants. Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Horticultural Therapy Trust participants. Credit: The Horticultural Therapy Trust / RHS Lindley Collections.

Feeding ourselves and each other background
Photographs from Masefield Community Garden
Photographs of Friends of Fulwell.
Photographs of Stanford and Cleveland.
Feeding ourselves and each other background
Photographs from Masefield Community Garden
Photographs of Friends of Fulwell.
Photographs of Stanford and Cleveland.

Feeding ourselves and each other

The COVID-19 pandemic added to existing problems of food scarcity. Many gardening groups focused their energies on growing much-needed produce for their local communities.

From veg boxes, to hot food deliveries, groups have supported key services and provided food to those most in need.

Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham

“Our harvest was good – approximately 155kg of fruit, vegetables, salad crops and herbs. These were shared between volunteers and we were also able to donate 40kg plus 56 herb and perennial plants to the local residents. This is the most that we have been able to give to the local community to date.

Apple Day is usually our most successful community event. This year we held a “Virtual Apple Day” when people were asked to send in their photographs of anything autumnal.”
  • Images credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections

Friends of Fulwell in Sunderland

“We have donated fresh produce to local food banks and other organisations who are looking after the vulnerable at this time.

Food banks who often receive donations of longer shelf life goods have said it's such a breath of fresh air and so good for our beneficiaries health that they are getting something as fresh and good for them as this.

Everything we have done has been helped and driven by volunteers especially young people.”
  • Images: Friends of Fulwell volunteers delivering food to local residents.
  • Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Stanford and Cleveland Community Garden in Brighton

“As our garden is on a street corner it has been a great source of joy for people out for their daily walks and we have had countless appreciative comments. We are going to donate most of our produce this summer to the  Brighton and Hove Food Partnership who distribute food parcels and also cook hot meals for people in need, isolating or shielding.

Our first vegetable box contained potatoes, beetroot, chard, kale, lettuce and herbs. We will donate further produce as it is ready.”
  • Images: Stanford and Cleveland vegetable boxes for the local food bank.
  • Credit: Debbie Pryer/ RHS Lindley Collections.

Background image.
Background image.

Feeding ourselves and each other

The COVID-19 pandemic added to existing problems of food scarcity. Many gardening groups focused their energies on growing much-needed produce for their local communities.

From veg boxes, to hot food deliveries, groups have supported key services and provided food to those most in need.

Masefield Community Garden in Northfield, Birmingham

“Our harvest was good – approximately 155kg of fruit, vegetables, salad crops and herbs. These were shared between volunteers and we were also able to donate 40kg plus 56 herb and perennial plants to the local residents. This is the most that we have been able to give to the local community to date.

Apple Day is usually our most successful community event. This year we held a “Virtual Apple Day” when people were asked to send in their photographs of anything autumnal.”

Image credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image credit: Sally Gopsill / RHS Lindley Collections.

Friends of Fulwell in Sunderland

“We have donated fresh produce to local food banks and other organisations who are looking after the vulnerable at this time

Food banks who often receive donations of longer shelf life goods have said it's such a breath of fresh air and so good for our beneficiaries health that they are getting something as fresh and good for them as this.

Everything we have done has been helped and driven by volunteers especially young people.”

Images: Friends of Fulwell volunteers delivering food to local residents. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Friends of Fulwell volunteers delivering food to local residents. Credit: Peter Curtis / RHS Lindley Collections.

Stanford and Cleveland Community Garden in Brighton

“As our garden is on a street corner it has been a great source of joy for people out for their daily walks and we have had countless appreciative comments. We are going to donate most of our produce this summer to the  Brighton and Hove Food Partnership who distribute food parcels and also cook hot meals for people in need, isolating or shielding.

Our first vegetable box contained potatoes, beetroot, chard, kale, lettuce and herbs. We will donate further produce as it is ready.”

Images: Stanford and Cleveland vegetable boxes for the local food bank. Credit: Debbie Pryer/ RHS Lindley Collections.

Images: Stanford and Cleveland vegetable boxes for the local food bank. Credit: Debbie Pryer/ RHS Lindley Collections.

Planting hope background
Photographs from Kwawateen Creative Minds.
Photos from Holt Community Gardeners.
Photos from Penrith Community Gardens
Planting hope background
Photographs from Kwawateen Creative Minds.
Photos from Holt Community Gardeners.
Photos from Penrith Community Gardens

Planting hope

Many gardening groups created memorials to those lost to COVID-19 in their local communities.

They planted beautiful commemorative flowers and borders to mark the passing of this difficult year, while also creating a sense of optimism that better times will come.

Kwawateen Creative Minds in Birmingham

“During the pandemic we have completely refurbished ten rusty old street planters. The planters are now painted with bright geodesic rainbow patterns and look clean and bright and loved again.
We have shared many smiles and happy faces and gratitude from the local residents who in turn have become more proud of their community. To bring smiles and colour was our aim during these socially turbulent times.”

  • Images credit: Kwawateen Creative Minds / RHS Lindley Collections.

Holt Community Gardeners in north Wales

“We wanted to try and introduce some optimism and perhaps some hope and  through gardening feed the hearts and souls of our wonderful community.  We have tried hard to achieve this by introducing floral planters and flower beds to the village which has given great colour and natural flower beds to the village.

There is little doubt that our memories of 2020 will be primarily about the pandemic and those which we lost but we will look back at what was achieved despite the challenges. We will remember those friends lost to the virus through our “Let’s Not Forget” flower bed.”
  • Image credits: Holt Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections

Penrith Community Gardeners in Cumbria

“The Covid memorial border was like the release of a valve for our community. It got lots of positive Facebook comments (over 4500 reached).

We took over an unplanted council border at the end of our high street. The local coffee stand has labels and pens so that individuals can write a message of remembrance.”
  • Image credits: Coordinator Penrith Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections

With thanks to all of the groups who took part in the RHS Libraries Lockdown Gardening project.

Background image.
Background image.

Planting hope

Many gardening groups created memorials to those lost to COVID-19 in their local communities.

They planted beautiful commemorative flowers and borders to mark the passing of this difficult year, while also creating a sense of optimism that better times will come.

Kwawateen Creative Minds in Birmingham

“During the pandemic we have completely refurbished ten rusty old street planters. The planters are now painted with bright geodesic rainbow patterns and look clean and bright and loved again.

We have shared many smiles and happy faces and gratitude from the local residents who in turn have become more proud of their community. To bring smiles and colour was our aim during these socially turbulent times.”

Images credit: Kwawateen Creative Minds / RHS Lindley Collections.

Images credit: Kwawateen Creative Minds / RHS Lindley Collections.

Holt Community Gardeners in north Wales

“We wanted to try and introduce some optimism and perhaps some hope and  through gardening feed the hearts and souls of our wonderful community.  We have tried hard to achieve this by introducing floral planters and flower beds to the village which has given great colour and natural flower beds to the village.

There is little doubt that our memories of 2020 will be primarily about the pandemic and those which we lost but we will look back at what was achieved despite the challenges. We will remember those friends lost to the virus through our “Let’s Not Forget” flower bed.”

Image credits: Holt Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image credits: Holt Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

Penrith Community Gardeners in Cumbria

“The Covid memorial border was like the release of a valve for our community. It got lots of positive Facebook comments (over 4500 reached).We took over an unplanted council border at the end of our high street. The local coffee stand has labels and pens so that individuals can write a message of remembrance.”

Image credits: Coordinator Penrith Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

Image credits: Coordinator Penrith Community Gardeners / RHS Lindley Collections.

With thanks to all of the groups who took part in the RHS Libraries Lockdown Gardening project.

Created by RHS Lindley Library.

Based at the Royal Horticultural Society’s headquarters at Vincent Square in London, the Lindley Library holds a world-class collection of horticultural books, journals and botanical art.

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