I'm planning a trip to London in May, coinciding with the Chelsea Flower Show, and I'm excited about exploring some garden centers. Since it's my first time in the UK, I'd love some recommendations for places to visit as a tourist. I'm particularly interested in finding some organic liquid fertilizers, especially from the Vitax brand – is it usually easy to find at the garden centers or big box stores? Also, are there public allotment gardens that I can view from the street? I'm not looking to go into individual plots, just some examples close to the city to get a feel for them. Thanks in advance for your suggestions! 😊
4 Answers
Just a heads up on fertilizer – regulations can be strict about what you can bring back home with you. Always better to check the rules about importing gardening products. But you won't have trouble finding fertilizers at most garden centers. And for allotments, they usually aren't accessible, but some city farms have gardens and maybe some allotments open to visitors!
You should check out Petersham Nurseries! It’s a lovely spot near Richmond Park and not your typical garden center. It's a great place to stroll around and even grab a bite to eat. While you're at it, don't forget about the Chelsea Physic Garden – it's small but definitely worth a visit!
If you're looking for a fantastic garden experience, definitely check out RHS Wisley! It's a huge spot run by the Royal Horticultural Society, boasting beautiful gardens, a massive greenhouse, and tons of horticultural displays. There's a shuttle bus from Woking station which is a quick train ride from central London. Plus, they've got a great garden center there!
For a treat, don't miss Kew Gardens! They're a must-see for any garden enthusiast. Keep in mind, though, allotments aren't typically open for public viewing, as they're often gated off to protect the plants. But Kew will provide plenty of inspiration!