THE seeds have been sown that will bloom into the Ludlow Festival of Small Gardens.

Ludlow‘s Small Gardens Festival takes on a miniature Chelsea feel as visitors and Ludlovians browse gardens outside of the town centre, sharing garden passions and ideas for one summer’s afternoon.

This year the Small Gardens Festival will be on Sunday, July 2 which is also the final day of the Fringe Arts Festival.

For 2017 the organisers hope to extend the geographical area, encouraging garden owners living to the east of Sandpits and going out towards Parys Road to participate - as well as including gardens in the Gravel Hill area again.

There were 12 gardens open for the 2016 Festival; the plan is for 16 to open this year.

More stalls are planned for 2017, too, with gardening and environmental themes and there will be some attractions for younger visitors with a hedgehog rescue, guinea pigs and even chickens.

The event organisers have one more exciting idea for this year - to launch the ‘Shropshire Hills Produce’ range.

“Anyone living in the South Shropshire area who uses what they grow in their gardens or on their allotments can join in," said Diane Lyle, the Small Gardens Festival coordinator.

“We will have a stall selling jams, chutneys, pickles, preserves, fresh produce - it will be a different way to show off gardens and gardening and the money raised from selling this locally grown produce will help to support the work of the Furniture Scheme and, of course, will help the Small Gardens Festival to continue into the future.

“Anyone can get involved by contributing their garden produce, from a jar of jam, a bundle of carrots, eggs, honey or a bunch of flowers. As long as it has come from your garden or allotment please bring it along and share the gift nature offers to us.”

For more information contact Diane Lyle, telephone 01584 876 854 or 07786 620 624, email Diane.lyle@btinternet.com