The Royal Horticultural Society Encourages Everyone to ‘Be Curious’ during National Gardening Week 2026, 27 April – 3 May: Your 7-Day Guide to Getting Started

Ever walked past a park and wondered what that bright pink flower is called? Or maybe looked at a sad-looking houseplant and wished it came with an instruction manual? That little spark of wondering is exactly what the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is celebrating.

Get ready, because from 27th April to 3rd May 2026, it’s National Gardening Week, and this year’s theme is all about encouraging everyone to ‘Be Curious’. It's a chance to ask questions, try something new, and see how getting your hands a little bit dirty with some gardening can be brilliant for your wellbeing. This isn't just about having a massive garden; it's about nurturing curiosity, whether you have a sprawling lawn or a single pot on a windowsill.

What’s this ‘be curious’ thing all about?

Think of it like being a detective, but for plants and nature. The ‘Be Curious’ theme is all about encouraging people to stop and ask questions. Why does one plant thrive while another droops? What’s that funny-looking bug crawling on the leaf? This idea was partly inspired by a special garden at the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, designed to get the whole country excited about the world of plants and the massive benefits they bring.

Getting stuck into some gardening isn't just about making things look pretty. It has fantastic environmental benefits and can do wonders for your mental health. This whole week is dedicated to embracing that curiosity in gardening, which is the first step to discovering something amazing right outside your door. The goal is to get people to engage in simple, curiosity led actions and unlock a new appreciation for the green world.

It seems everyone is getting the gardening bug

It’s not just a hunch; people really are showing more curiosity in gardening. Last year, the experts at the RHS were busier than ever. The RHS Gardening Advice Service received a staggering number of gardening enquiries, with over 121,000 questions coming in from budding gardeners across the country. That's a lot of people wanting more gardening knowledge! These weren't just simple questions either; people were asking about everything from making their soil healthier to dealing with the effects of drier weather on popular plants like roses and hydrangeas.

And it’s not just online where this trend is showing. The visitor numbers for the beautiful RHS Gardens have been huge. In 2025, over three million people wandered through their gates – a massive milestone for the charity. Places like RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, and RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex all saw record-breaking attendance. Meanwhile, RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey has become one of the most popular attractions to visit outside of London. These record enquiries and rising visitor numbers prove that more and more people are looking to connect with nature and learn through hands-on experience at places brimming with inspiration, including through gardening workshops.

A word from the experts

It’s one thing to see the numbers, but what do the people behind it all think? Tim Upson, who is the RHS Director of Gardens and Horticulture, really sums it up perfectly. He explains that gardening is fundamentally about trying new things and seeing what happens.

“Gardening is all about curiosity, experimentation and asking questions. This year’s National Gardening Week is a celebration of the wonder that plants and gardens bring to our lives while encouraging people of all ages to learn about plants, connect with nature and discover the wellbeing and environmental benefits of gardening. The record numbers of enquiries to our RHS Advisory Service, alongside the highest visitor numbers to our gardens in recent years demonstrates a growing thirst for gardening knowledge and time spent in nature. We hope more people lean into their curiosity this National Gardening Week.”

Seven days of curiosity led actions

To make it easy for everyone to join in during the week, the RHS has put together a simple plan with a different theme for each day. It’s a series of curiosity led actions anyone can try, no matter their age or experience level. It's all about experimentation and having a bit of fun.

• Day 1 – Enjoy: Simply take a moment. Look around your own garden, balcony, or even just your local park. Notice what’s already growing there and take a second to enjoy being in nature.

• Day 2 – Grow: This one is simple – plant something! It could be a flower seed, a vegetable, or a herb for your windowsill. Just the act of planting is a great start.

• Day 3 – Observe: Put on your detective hat and look for wildlife. See how many different types of birds, bees, butterflies, or beetles you can spot. It’s amazing what you’ll find when you really look.

• Day 4 – Experience: Get hands-on. Touch the different textures of leaves, smell the flowers, and maybe even taste some home-grown herbs. Visiting one of the RHS Gardens or a local green space is another fantastic way to immerse your senses.

• Day 5 – Experiment: Time to try something a bit different. This could be anything from building a bug hotel to making your own compost or trying to grow a new plant from a cutting. A little bit of experimentation is key to learning.

• Day 6 – Learn: Make it a goal to discover one new thing about gardening. You could learn a new skill from a book, watch a tutorial online, or visit one of the many gardening workshops available. The RHS Gardens are full of experts happy to share their gardening knowledge.

• Day 7 – Celebrate: Give yourself a pat on the back! A recent report found that less than a quarter of adults call themselves ‘gardeners’. But the truth is, if you’ve engaged your curiosity and interacted with plants, you’ve been gardening. That’s something worth celebrating.

You don’t have to be an expert to be a gardener

Perhaps the most important message of National Gardening Week is that you don’t need to have all the answers to get started. Gardening begins with curiosity.

It starts with that simple question about a flower or that desire to see something grow. Whether you are tending to a single pot or an entire allotment, the act of nurturing plants connects people to nature and has proven benefits for both mental and physical wellbeing. So, this week, from 27th April to 3rd May, the invitation is there for everyone to be curious and see where it leads. Who knows what you might discover?