ENTHUSIASTIC growers are keen to encourage everyone to try planting fruit and veg.

You don’t need special tools or any experience to grow something to eat.

A small border at the RHS Tatton Flower Show entitled ‘Foraging in the Garden’ demonstrated how easy it is to produce your own fruit and vegetables.

The display was designed by Widnes and District Horticultural Society, a gardening and growing club.

Chairman Angela Ball created the show garden on the theme of perennial vegetables and sustainable gardening.

“We want to encourage everyone to have a go at growing something edible,” said Angela.

“In the planning process we aimed to limit the use of power tools, reduce our impact on the environment, reduce transportation and encourage wildlife.”

Runcorn and Widnes World: Angela Ball and Sue Gatfield at the 'Foraging in the Garden' RHS Tatton Flower Show displayAngela Ball and Sue Gatfield at the 'Foraging in the Garden' RHS Tatton Flower Show display

The garden was packed with fresh produce including artichoke, kale, broccoli, leeks, sorrel, onions, mixed salad, rhubarb, raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries.

Various herbs to make tea, such as mint and lemon balm, were interplanted throughout the design.

Nasturtium, sunflowers, lilies, marigolds, clematis, dahlia and marigolds were chosen to attract bees and butterflies.

A ‘dead hedge’ of stacked prunings and garden waste was created to support insects and other wildlife.

A recycled pallet was fitted with surplus guttering to grow strawberries and salad crops.

The society is holding an annual show on Sunday, September 4 from 2pm to 4pm at Upton Community Centre, Hough Green Road in Widnes.

Admission is free and everyone is invited to enter vegetable, flower and craft exhibits.

For more details visit widnesdistricthorticulturalsociety.com