Funding

Funding

The Master Gardener programme is very grateful for the kind support from the following organisations

See also programme partners

Local Food

A £50 million programme distributing grants to a variety of food-related projects which will help make locally grown food accessible to local communities.

Local Food has been developed by a consortium of organisations and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT).

The Master Gardener programme is a Beacon Grant by Local Food, part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.
Sheepdrove Trust

Support initiatives involved in sustainability, biodiversity and organic farming.

It was formed by the original founders of the Dorling Kindersley publishing empire who also manage Sheepdrove Organic Farm, renowned for great organic food, eco-friendly farming and excellent animal welfare.

The farm now has its own eco conference centre, a great range of organic produce, on-site chicken processing, family butcher’s shops in London and Bristol, and home delivery across the UK.

Local programmes


Warwickshire County Council		 Warwickshire County Council

Edible Islington
(London Borough of Islington)		 Edible Islington (London Borough of Islington)

Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
(Norfolk County Council)		 Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse (Norfolk County Council)
Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Fund
(NHS Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire County County delivered locally with six local authorities. Click here for details.

Please note: As for the Master Composter programme, participation for all volunteer Master Gardeners in the programme is free – and likewise for their households and community groups.

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Latest from Warwickshire Master Gardeners

  1. Two Pea or not Two Pea? posted on 14 May 2012
    Not everyone is a fan of blousy scented or indeed colourful flowers. But how can you resist the lure and temptation of the beautiful Sweet Pea family? I have been privilaged enough to be introduced to. […]
  2. olympic gardening posted on 14 May 2012
    Hi all, I will be running an Olympic gardening session for the school in a couple of weeks time, does anyone have any interesting and inventive ideas that I can try out? Jane
  3. Oaks Barn Farm at the Malvern Spring Show posted on 11 May 2012
    We will be Supporting Riverside Shepherd Huts this weekend, and will be on their stand all day on Sunday at the Malvern Spring Show. Most exciting news is that they have just won a Silver for their St. […]
  4. Verity Thompson posted on 11 May 2012
  5. Wayne Smith posted on 11 May 2012

Latest from Islington Master Gardeners

  1. Sowing purple podded beans posted on 2 May 2012
    Looking forward to lots of beautiful purple pods throughout the summer. This one is climbing bean ‘Blauhilde’ – I’ll plant outside in a few weeks’ time once the risk of frost has passed.
  2. June 30th: Reserve your place at the Masters Conference posted on 1 May 2012
    Reserve your place at the National Masters Conference 2012 at Ryton Gardens. We’re inviting volunteers from across the country to share top-tips for supporting communities to grow their own food and. […]
  3. May: grow your own tips posted on 1 May 2012
    Crops are confused this month. We’ve had a mild winter, sunny March, and wet April so far. But May is the time for catching up with sowing seeds and planting out your favourite fruit and veg. Rememb. […]
  4. May 19-20th: Seeking new Master Gardeners in north London! posted on 25 Apr 2012
    ** A few places left – don’t delay, apply today! ** We’re looking for experienced and passionate food growers in Islington, Camden, Hackney and Haringey to support their communities to have a go. […]
  5. Jun 10th: Plant Sale and Open Day 2pm -5pm posted on 19 Apr 2012
    Plant sale and open day at Queen’s Wood N10 3JP.  As part of London Open Squares and Garden Weekend,  an opportunity to visit this ‘secret’ garden.  Chat to volunteers and get advice on growi. […]

Latest from South London

  1. Diana Linskey posted on 14 May 2012
    I have grown fruit and vegetables in whatever garden I have had and enjoy using produce in cooking and preserving. I like to try different varieties and swap plants with friends.
  2. Jean posted on 9 May 2012
    growing, kids and fun
  3. Big Lunch 2012 posted on 9 May 2012
    MG Kate writes… We are having a street party where I live. I started growing pumpkins and sunflowers to give away for people to plant in their front gardens. I was unsure of the reception but please. […]
  4. St Mary’s Plot’s Got the Lot! posted on 9 May 2012
    St Mary Magdalene C of E School is situated on a ring road in the centre of Peckham, and it is where two of my children still go to school. It is quite unpreposessing until one enters under the wooden. […]
  5. May Bank Holiday – MGs get everywhere posted on 8 May 2012
    South London Master Gardeners were out at several events this weekend. No chill could dim the fire for sharing their enthusiasm and gardening knowledge! On Monday brand new MGs Nick, Kerry and Sarah s. […]

Latest from Norfolk Master Gardeners

  1. Sherry Keys posted on 16 May 2012
  2. When can my beans go outside? posted on 14 May 2012
    We have had a question from a home-food grower about beans. She asks “when will it be safe to put dwarf Italian beans out on my allotment? The frosts seem to be over now and my beans are raring to g. […]
  3. Watering top tips posted on 14 May 2012
    Although, looking out the window this morning, one might be forgiven for thinking that our tender vegetables might be more at risk from drowing than drought, it is worth remembering our hot dry summer. […]
  4. The Leaderless Revolution posted on 11 May 2012
    Professor Timothy O’Riordan, OBE, FBA and Trustee of The Soil Association spoke of the need for a Leaderless Revolution in our approach to dealing with the current food sustinability crisis. “The. […]
  5. Photo caption competition posted on 10 May 2012
    Tell us your caption for this photo.

Latest from Lincolnshire Master Gardeners

  1. Jun 2nd: Deeping Show posted on 14 May 2012
    Master Gardeners will be displaying a small stand beside a show garden to portray a ‘green garden’ using recycling and garden design with the planet in mind. The Master Gardener stand will show ho. […]
  2. Mud and Earth posted on 14 May 2012
    We’re well into May, and there’s still no end in sight to the rain. In the poly-tunnel my chitting potatoes are perfectly ready for planting, while a few are beginning to throw out long, spindly s. […]
  3. Battle of the Weeds! posted on 14 May 2012
    Well, weeds are my nemesis. I absolutely hate weeds. They drive me nuts and stop me getting on with what I like to think of as proper gardening. This last torrential six weeks of weather has driven my. […]
  4. Dreams of Summer Fruit posted on 3 May 2012
    At the bottom of the garden my gooseberry and redcurrant cordons stand like three verdant tridents, rising from a sea of soggy green lawn. Behind them, three blackcurrants raise their rain soaked bran. […]
  5. June 30th: Reserve your place at the Masters Conference posted on 1 May 2012
    Reserve your place at the National Masters Conference 2012 at Ryton Gardens. We’re inviting volunteers from across the country to share top-tips for supporting communities to grow their own food and. […]
We’re creating a model to establish custom networks of volunteer Master Gardeners in more UK areas. More information available here.

Photos on flickr