Islington’s diverse communities are coming together at the Ecology Centre

Islington’s diverse communities are coming together at the Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, on Sunday 8 September to celebrate gardening, food growing, and community, at the Islington Grow Show, with celebrity gardener Danny Clarke.The TV presenter and garden designer, who is passionate about inspiring younger and more diverse audiences to have a better connection to the natural world, will be judging the Grow Show and taking part in a Q&A session.Gardeners from all across the borough, from seasoned experts to enthusiastic beginners, will be bringing along their best flowers, fruits, and vegetables to showcase, at the event which will allow growers to connect with others, share experiences and their growing stories.From tomatoes to chayote, gourd to wildflowers, Islington residents will be showcasing their produce from all across the world, grown here in Islington.As part of its efforts to create a greener, healthier borough, the council is showcasing the amazing things that we can all do with our food – from recycling it to generate energy, to growing and reusing. The Grow Show will provide an opportunity for people across Islington to showcase the food they’ve been growing, and to get valuable tips and insights.Alongside the exhibition of produce, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including guided tree walks, African drumming, food waste recycling and composting information, food and drink, food growing map of Islington, and nature based art projects.

Cllr Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said: “The Islington Grow Show is a fantastic opportunity for residents to come together, share their passion for growing, and celebrate the incredible diversity of produce grown right here in our borough.

“We know that spending time in nature, gardening and nurturing plants can be hugely beneficial to our physical and mental health. It’s also a great way to connect with others in the community.

“The Grow Show shows that you don’t need to have a garden to get involved in gardening and growing food – people are growing fantastic produce on balconies, windowsills and in community gardens, housing estates and local green spaces.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the community come together to share their experiences and their growing stories, and of course seeing the different produce on show!”

The Grow Show is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to making the borough greener, healthier, and more sustainable. By fostering a sense of community around gardening and food growing, the council aims to inspire more residents to get involved in activities that benefit the diverse communities in Islington and tackle the climate crisis.You don’t need to have a garden to get involved; people all over Islington are growing amazing fruit, vegetables and more on balconies, windowsills, or in their local community garden.With thanks to our sponsors Holloway Park, Active Landscapes, Warwick Landscapes, Marlborough Highways, and NSL.