The centre of Manchester is set to be transformed into a green paradise with flowers, food and fun, as Dig the City returns to the streets of city centre Manchester from Saturday 2 – Sunday 10 August.
This year’s theme is ‘Grow Your Own’ and the event organisers promise a treat for all the senses, showcasing inspired city gardening ideas alongside expert talks, master classes and kids’ activities to keep green-fingers entertained across the nine days.
New for this year is the chance for professional and novice garden designers, landscape and garden companies to exhibit a show garden right in the heart of the Manchester’s busy shopping district, and win a prestigious inaugural Dig the City medal.
All entries will be assessed by a team of judges, led by BBC gardening expert Rachel de Thame and including Manchester city centre’s new National Trust Gardener in Residence, Sean Harkin, who will give the go-ahead to the most promising designs.
Headlining the festival will be one of television’s most famous gardening experts, Diarmuid Gavin.
Gavin, whose famous garden design style is strikingly contemporary, is a familiar face on TV and his credits range from presenting BBC Gardeners’ World, Planet Patio to Gardens Through Time and Homefront. Diarmuid studied amenity horticulture at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin in Dublin. He then established his own garden design business.
After twice winning the Royal Dublin Society Gold medal for garden design during the nineties, he displayed at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1995 and 1996. Diarmuid’s modern vibrant city garden in 1996 caused quite a stir and led to a career in television where he developed a unique style in contemporary garden design.
Visitors to Dig the City can join Tatton’s gardening team to create the Karesansui (Japanese Dry Garden), an island of perfection and harmony in the heart of the city centre.
Last year over one million visitors enjoyed show gardens, a 75 tree pop-up forest, talks from experts including BBC Gardener’s World presenter Monty Don, free kids’ workshops with the National Trust, a Women’s Institute fete, giant art installations by US artist Jason Hackenwerth, plant swaps, a garden disco and markets.
The festival won a Commendation at the 2013 UK Event Awards and Gold at the 2013 RHS Britain in Bloom Awards.
