Volunteering in a garden can be a really rewarding experience and an opportunity to learn tips and tricks to take home to your own garden.
We all know that gardening is great for our mental and physical health, but if you don't have any outdoor space or you fancy a more sociable atmosphere, then becoming a garden volunteer could be great way of getting your green fix.
From iconic National Trust properties and Kew Gardens to grassroots organisations like Incredible Edible, there are plenty of ways to volunteer your time for the benefit of the community and yourself.
Volunteering is also a good way to see if horticulture could be the right career choice for you. If you've been considering changing jobs to something greener, taking up a volunteering role will allow you to see what's right for you before taking the plunge.
Considering a full-time job in horticulture? Take a look at our pieces on how to become a gardener and how to become a garden designer.
Garden volunteering near you
Finding a garden to volunteer at can feel a bit daunting, but we're sure that with a bit of research most people will be able to find an opportunity not too far away. From the prestige of a volunteering opportunity at Great Dixter to a couple of hours a week at a local community garden, there will be a volunteering role to suit everyone.
Be prepared to wait though; not all organisations have availability straight away and you may have to go on a waiting list before you're able to take up your trowel and start helping.
Here, we've rounded up a few of the places you can look to get you started on your search.
Volunteering to work in gardens for national organisations
Volunteering with a national organisation is a great way to gain new skills and spend time outdoors at an iconic location. It also means you can support the work of horticultural and conservation charities in a meaningful way.
Volunteering in National Trust gardens
Whether its greeting visitors at the entrance or weeding in the beds, there is a huge range of volunteering opportunities at the National Trust. Volunteering with the National Trust allows you to support their conservation work and potentially work in some of the country's most well-known gardens.
Find volunteering opportunities near you at nationaltrust.org.uk
Volunteering in English Heritage gardens
English Heritage also has properties and gardens all over the country. You could find yourself deadheading, mending garden tools or chatting to visitors with one of their placements.
To find a volunteering opportunity near you head to english-heritage.org.uk
Volunteering in RHS gardens
The RHS have a great range of volunteering opportunities. From working in one of their gardens to guiding guests at a world famous flower show, there is plenty to get involved with.
To find a volunteering opportunity to suit you take a look at rhs.org.uk
Volunteering in botanic gardens and physic gardens
There are many botanic and physic gardens in the UK and they make excellent places to volunteer. You could find yourself working in a glasshouse, on plant collections outdoors or with helping visitors find their way around.
Places to consider looking include:
- Chelsea Physic Garden
- National Botanic Garden of Wales
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- University of Bristol Botanic Gardens
Volunteering with garden charities
There are plenty of charities that offer volunteering opportunities within gardens. The benefit of volunteering with a charity is that you'll know your effort has a positive impact. If you do some research you might be able to find somewhere in your local area, like Green Care at Norton or The Patchworking Garden Project. Or, you can take a look at these charities that offer opportunities at many locations:
Garden volunteering with Age UK
Age UK organise gardening volunteers for older people who can no longer tend to their plot. This seems like a win-win for someone wanting to spend more time gardening and do good at the same time.
Find more information out at ageuk.org.uk
Volunteering with Perennial
If you want to volunteer at a garden and help people working in horticulture, then finding a role at Perennial could be a good fit for you. They have several sites, including York Gate in Leeds.
Browse roles at Perennial at perennial.org.uk
Volunteering with Thrive
Thrive prides itself in being the 'gardening for health charity'. If this resonates with you, then it could be the perfect place to volunteer. With gardens in London, Reading and Birmingham there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
Find out more about volunteering with Thrive at thrive.org.uk
Volunteering with Garden Organic
With sites from Somerset to Cumbria, Garden Organic is a great organisation to look for volunteering opportunities, plus you'll be helping to support their work campaigning and giving advice on creating a sustainable world.
See current volunteering opportunities at gardenorganic.org.uk
What jobs do volunteers in gardens do?
This really depends on the type of role you sign up for, but generally you might get to do a mix of tasks that could include:
- planting
- wedding
- deadheading
- general maintenance
- greeting garden visitors
- giving tours
- making tea
- collecting seed
- making compost
- cleaning tools
- watering
- eating cake
Whatever you end up doing in the volunteering role you sign up for, you'll be a valued member of the gardening team and you'll be sure to broaden your skillset too.
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