Showcasing sustainable projects: Sidmouth in Bloom

A lot of gardening is still about pouring on the concrete and pouring on the chemicals – all rather expensive and all very counterproductive as far as greening up the garden is concerned.

Sidmouth in Bloom has been setting a very good example of the sort of things we could all follow.

Last year it was determined to follow RHS guidance:

The group’s work will be in keeping with the new Royal Horticultural Society ethos of ‘putting sustainability at the heart of Britain in Bloom’. They will plant a new ‘climate theme’ in Blackmore Gardens, try out techniques for self-watering hanging baskets… In all this work Sidmouth in Bloom will seek to encourage biodiversity, save energy and use sustainable products.

Gardeners go even greener to keep Sidmouth sustainably in bloom | Sidmouth Herald

The judges were very impressed:

They were shown the Friends of the Byes community orchard, the new Radway seating area and hanging baskets, the Sensory Garden, the Coral Seating Area and Wave border. Their tour ended in Connaught Gardens, where a sustainable planting scheme was introduced earlier this year, with traditional flower beds being replaced by colourful plants that bloom all year round and create wildlife habitats.

Sidmouth puts on a stunning show for national In Bloom judges | Sidmouth Herald

And so the efforts paid off, with Gold going to SIB late last year:

Sidmouth in Bloom’s emphasis on community involvement and environmental work had been recognised by the judges. 

Sidmouth wins gold Britain in Bloom award | Sidmouth Herald

9 November 2022 – Unsung East Devon heroes thanked, after plethora of special regional and national ‘in Bloom’ awards – East Devon

The RHS has been extremely encouraging of these efforts across the country:

“It has been heartening to see how the 2022 UK Finalists have met the enhanced environmental criteria of Britain in Bloom. So many groups and individuals are already gardening sustainably, and it is a privilege for the RHS to be able to recognise them for this amazing work.”

Britain in Bloom awards and results / RHS Gardening

The group has in fact always championed these ideals:

Futures Forum: Sidmouth in Bloom

Biodiversity – Vision Group for Sidmouth