RHS School Gardening Awards
Level 3

Level 3 is about extending the range of plants you grow, keeping your plants healthy and using planet-friendly approaches when you garden

How do we achieve Level 3?

To achieve Level 3, you need to demonstrate the following:

  • We grow and can name a range of plants
  • We keep our plants healthy
  • We are planet-friendly gardeners

How do I apply?

Complete our online form to submit your evidence to reach the RHS Level 3 Award

children gardening

When you’re ready to apply for Level 3, please submit up to 100 words for each of the above criteria. 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 3 you will receive:

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

To help you move up to Level 4, you will also receive:

  • £50 National Garden Gift Voucher
  • A copy of The Little Book of Wildlife Gardening, 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 3 you will receive:

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


To help you move up to Level 4, 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 grow and can name a range of plants

This is an opportunity to tell us about some of the different plants you are growing and caring for. This might include:

We keep our plants healthy

What are children and young people doing to encourage healthy plants? This might include:

  • Adding compost, leaf mould or manure to enrich the soil
  • Planting sun-loving plants in the sun and shade-loving plants in the shade
  • Thinning seedlings to give plants space to thrive

  • Putting mulch round plants to retain soil moisture
  • Protecting plants from slugs and snails, for example by encouraging more wildlife predators
  • Cleaning plant pots before sowing seeds or pricking out seedlings

We are planet-friendly gardeners

We can all help tackle the causes and effects of climate change. This might include:

  • Reducing, reusing and recycling garden equipment such as pots, labels and string
  • Using peat-free compost
  • Using a water butt or another container to collect and store rainwater

  • Planting drought-resistant plants
  • Planting a tree
  • Growing your own vegetables

Ready for the next level?

Find out how you can achieve our Level 4 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.