The National Garden Scheme will open applications for its Community Garden Grants programme on Monday, which will run to 28 October.

The grants provide funding to amateur gardeners from community groups in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands to create or complete a garden or similar project that has a horticultural focus.

The aim should be to bring a community together by creating or developing a space that people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills and by inspiring a love of gardening.

“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 between £1,000 and £5,000,” says National Garden Scheme chief executive, George Plumptre.

In 2024, 89 community garden projects were funded with grants totalling £232,000 supporting gardens and allotments, rehabilitation and regeneration projects.

It will also support gardens designed to support mental health and wellbeing, as well as training and development for young people.

National Garden Scheme ambassador, Danny Clarke, says: “We want to see this funding going to the heart of communities, supporting projects that engage and invigorate diverse audiences, many of whom will discover for the first time the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment.

“The icing on the cake will be that recipient gardens one day open for the National Garden Scheme themselves.”

Submissions close at noon on 28 October and applicants will be notified of the results by the end of March 2025.