Grow Your Own Weekend

26 – 27th March 2011.

Be inspired on how to fill your plate with wonderful home-grown produce, and get advice from RHS gardeners at the annual Grow Your Own event at RHS Garden Wisley 26 -27 March 2011.

This year there will be plenty of practical planting demonstrations, cookery demonstrations, gardener Q&A sessions and fun family activities.

Practical planting demonstrations will be run by RHS Garden staff and include: digging and improving the soil; planting potatoes; sowing seeds such as peas, broad beans and lettuce; the do’s and don’ts of planting a fruit tree and how to make raised beds.

As the gardening year begins in earnest, this is the perfect time to start growing your own fruit and veg – and the RHS have got all the information and support you’ll need to get started.

All four RHS gardens have events running on the weekend of 26 & 27 March, with inspirational displays, expert advice and practical sessions. Some gardens also have cookery demonstrations to show you how to make the best of your fabulous fresh produce. Whether you are a novice or a more experienced gardener, the RHS teams will answer your questions and give specialist advice.

So why not pay a visit to one of the four RHS gardens participating in the event and find the inspiration you need to Grow Your Own.  Whether you are a novice or an experienced veg plotter,  you’ll be able to quiz the RHS garden staff at the ‘Ask the Gardeners’ Question and Answer Sessions that will be running at 10.30am – 11.30am & 2.30pm – 3.30pm throughout the weekend.

Choose from a range of activities, such as :

Practical demonstrations – 10am – 5pm

Throughout the day, RHS staff will be giving short practical planting demonstrations packed with useful hints and tips. Demonstrations include:

* Digging and improving the soil.
* Planting potatoes.
* Sowing seeds; peas, broad beans and lettuce.
* The dos and don’ts of planting a fruit tree.
* Learn how to make raised beds.

‘Ask the Gardener’ Q&A sessions
10.30am – 11.30am & 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Quiz a panel of experts in our ’Ask the Gardeners’ Q&A session. These are free with normal garden entry but you do need to reserve your place up to two days in advance by calling, 0845 612 1253.

Cookery demonstrations
between 10am – 5pm

The ‘Big Chef’ Peter Osborne will show you how to make delicious dishes from home grown produce, giving lots of ideas for seasonal recipes and helping you choose the right vegetables to grow for your favourite dishes.

Model Fruit and Vegetable Gardens

The Model Vege Garden Speak to RHS gardeners in the Model Fruit and Vegetable Garden who will be more than happy to help with your gardening queries.

Family activities
10am – 5pm

Have fun with the family and children can learn how to sow and grow broad beans, or balance, hide and explore you way around the  play area.

For more info, please visit the RHS website