A TV presenter is encouraging green-fingered garden enthusiasts with projects that bring health and wellbeing to the surrounding environment to apply for a grant.

The National Garden Scheme founded in 1927 opens for Community Garden Grants applications from Monday, October 2.

National Garden Scheme ambassador, TV presenter and gardener aka The Black Gardener, Danny Clarke said: “We want to see this funding going to the heart of community projects, helping to invigorate the people they support and introducing new audiences to the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment.

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He added: “In an ideal world, recipient gardens would one day open for the National Garden Scheme themselves.”

In 2023, grants worth £262,140 were awarded to 86 community garden projects. This supported community allotments and gardens, rehabilitation, and regeneration projects as well as those green spaces designed to support mental health and wellbeing.

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National garden scheme chief executive, George Plumptre said: “We welcome applications for projects that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disability.

'With all applications considered on their individual merits, there is no fixed amount, but awards are usually between £1,000 and £5,000.”

Submissions close on Monday, November 13.

For more information, go to ngs.org.uk