RHS School Gardening Awards
Level 1

Level 1 is about starting out on your school’s gardening journey and getting growing

How do we achieve Level 1?

To achieve Level 1, you need to demonstrate the following:

  • We understand the benefits of gardening
  • Our growing space is accessible
  • We have started gardening

How do I apply?

Complete our online form to submit your evidence to reach the RHS Level 1 Award

children gardening

When you are ready to apply for Level 1, please submit up to 100 words for each of the above criteria explaining how you have met each one. For school submissions, please show how at least 10 pupils have been involved when you submit your evidence. You are welcome to include quotes from children and young people as part of your submission.

Submit evidence

School rewards

Once you have achieved Level 1 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement

To help you move up to Level 2, you will also receive:

  • A copy of Your Wellbeing Garden, an RHS book
  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.​

Group and individual rewards

Once you have achieved Level 1 you will receive:

  • A certificate and a digital logo to promote and celebrate your achievement


To help you move up to Level 2, you will also receive:

  • A selection of Mr Fothergill’s seeds*

* Due to postal restrictions we are only able to send seeds to addresses in England, Scotland and Wales.

Information and resources to support your submission:

We understand the benefits of gardening

  • Establishing and respecting personal space and boundaries and sharing resources
  • Working together to achieve a shared goal
  • Building life skills such as teamwork, resilience and confidence

Our growing space is accessible

  • Ensuring wheelchair users can access and pass one another in the growing space
  • Using raised growing pots, beds or vertical gardening for easy reach
  • Having clearly marked boundaries to support gardening for pupils with visual impairments

  • Having a seated area for rest breaks
  • Providing labels in community languages
  • Using pictures or symbols to provide information

We have started gardening

  • Creating a growing space, this could be on a windowsill or outside
  • Growing and caring for some indoor plants
  • Growing fast-growing microgreens like cress or pea shoots

  • Sowing some seeds in pots
  • Planting some bulbs or seedlings
  • Sowing potatoes in compost bags

Ready for the next level?

Find out how you can achieve our Level 2 award.

Apply now 

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.