In the BBC centenary year, its flagship children’s programme, Blue Peter got a new garden. The theme of The New Blue Peter Garden is ‘discover soil’.
The garden encourages us to investigate the soil beneath our feet bringing it up to eye level for us to see, touch, smell and hear. The garden’s message is, ‘Don’t treat soil like dirt!’ Soil is complex and alive and we couldn’t survive without it. We are losing soil faster than Nature can replenish it and we need to look after it. Composting is one easy thing we can all do to help our soil at home.
At the show, alongside soil-themed art, including ‘citizen art’ projects created by the children and people of Salford, garden visitors could listen to the sounds of a compost heap. In a subterranean observation chamber, they could watch what happens below ground. The garden is multi-layered with vibrant blue and orange planting to reflect the colours of Blue Peter.
After RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden moved to its permanent home at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where everyone can visit.
