Member Article

Urban gardeners show at the Ricoh Arena

The world’s largest show dedicated to helping urban gardeners will be blossoming into life at the Ricoh Arena this weekend.

Home Grown Expo is returning to the Ricoh Arena between 10am to 6pm on Saturday, May 30 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, May 31.

Over 50 exhibitors from across the UK and Europe will be providing an A-Z of every gardener’s needs in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall.

Visitors are encouraged to come along to the free event to talk to companies involved in gardening products and technology along with industry pioneers, manufacturers, wholesalers, indoor garden designers, community groups, chefs, urban growers and experts from every gardening discipline who will be demonstrating cost-effective ways to grow your own produce.

James Walton, sales and marketing director at Home Grown Expo, said over 250,000 urban residents live within a five-mile radius of the show who were all potential gardeners.

He said: “Around the world people are starting to grow food in the most untraditional places and spaces and urban gardening has become the new frontier in farming.

“It’s the fastest growing industry within the gardening industry with specific requirements not catered for by the usual gardening shows.

“We held the first Home Grown Expo at the Ricoh Arena last year and it was an enormous success.

“This show will feature a larger assortment of the latest indoor and urban gardens and equipment so people will find everything from funny green gadgets and health food items to entire grow systems such as aquaponic and hydroponic systems.

“The show is aimed at the successful urban cultivation of plants, herbs and organic foods and we are confident the expo will satisfy every gardener’s needs.”

Chris Owen, senior events manager at the Ricoh Arena, said growing your own vegetables at home or an allotment was becoming increasingly popular.

“Home Grown Expo attracted experienced and novice gardeners last year and the beauty of this show is that there is something for everyone,” he said.

“There is a new generation of urban gardeners making the most of their living environment to grow herbs, plants and vegetables whether that is from window sills or their garden and this show is a great opportunity to find out more from the experts.

“The show will highlight the latest innovations in indoor and urban gardening, grow-your-own food and green lifestyle industries so it promises to be a fantastic free event.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .