Gardening comrades, help us in sparking an urban gardening revolution! From streets to rooftops, GardenTags and the RHS are on a mission to Green Grey Britain. 

Ellen Mary is a garden-focused TV presenter and columnist for Places & Faces and Feast Norfolk. Possessing an unrivalled passion for nature and wildlife gardening, Ellen is also the Wildlife gardening writer for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Ellen’s down her allotment whenever she can and is always on hand to help with any gardening questions. Today, she shares her city gardening tips for growing our cities green…

Growing our Cities Green

How can we make the UK’s cities, the greenest on earth?

There are many factors involved in making the UK cities the greenest on earth. From needing new government policies and investment into urban planning and city gardening. Along with groups such as No Fear Gardening reaching out to urban communities, and helping to pass on knowledge and skills to create sustainable futures. Wouldn’t it be amazing if every development had to replace the greenery it takes away? This is what happens in Singapore. Which is well known for it’s incorporation in city planning.

Like City Gardening – Growing Our Cities Green?
Download GardenTags FREE today for more gardening inspiration

Although the government clearly need to be on board, never underestimate the will of green gardeners! Even the smallest balcony with containers of plants and vegetables can make a big impact. And by those who already have an interest in gardening setting an example and inspiring others, a huge difference can be made by everyone. So get the word out there! Meet people. Talk to people. Inspire people.

SEE ALSO: An Interview with Sara Venn – Founder of Incredible Edible Bristol

City Gardening in Norwich

Norwich is a cool city blending into the urban environment. It boasts lovely, and sometimes exciting, unexpected green spaces. I am so lucky to live there! But there is still a lot of work to do. I’ve had many talks I’ve had with local groups, the local authority and communities. And especially through my involvement with Anglia in Bloom, it is clear there is a huge love for greening up Norwich. Last year we had wildflowers on road verges and poppies on round-a-bouts. Not to forget Norwich in Bloom working hard to plant annuals, perennials and many, many bulbs!

Download the GardenTags app FREE today

But greening up the city means so much more than that. It means reaching communities with little access or knowledge to the benefits of growing your own. It means working with local architectural developments and investors on incorporating ‘green’ into their building designs. Being a Trustee at Anglia in Bloom means I get to meet so many people who have been involved in helping to get Norwich in the green. From volunteers with no experience to passionate horticulturalists with 50 plus years experience. Each and every one offer invaluable skills and inspire others with new ideas for the future. No Fear Gardening will undoubtedly be contributing with community gardening. Plus reaching out to schools and bringing groups together in the city. There’s a long way to go. But I believe Norwich is ready and willing to keep on ‘greening up’.

Follow Ellen Mary on the GardenTags App

Do you have something to say?

Loved Ellen Mary’s city gardening revolution and wish you could share your own? If you have a point of view or a story to tell, put it down in a blog or a video and send it to us at growrev@gardentags.com . We’ll be posting guest blogs at www.gardentags.com/growrevURBAN, so you have a chance to inspire others.

Here’s the official disclaimer bit…The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of GardenTags. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this guest blog post are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations.