09 Nov 2026
Former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins recently visited Hamelin’s Roots & Shoots site in Rochford, bringing his horticultural expertise and passion for growing to the charity.
During his visit, Chris, who is now Head of Horticulture at Garden Organic, spent the day sharing his knowledge, experience and passion for growing, offering practical advice and inspiration to help everyone get the most out of their growing space.
Garden Organic is a national charity dedicated to promoting organic gardening and sustainable food growing. Through education, research and practical support, the charity encourages people to grow in ways that are better for the environment, wildlife and our health.
The morning was spent preparing the polytunnels and beds for the months ahead, planting bulbs and sowing seeds ready for the spring harvest. Chris worked alongside participants, discussing which crops grow well together, how to make the best use of the available space and the importance of maintaining the site to achieve a healthy and successful harvest.
In the afternoon, the groups put their creativity and new knowledge into practice by planning their own miniature allotment plots. Each person designed a 1x1 metre growing space, thinking carefully about the layout and which fruit and vegetables could be grown in a relatively small area.
Chris provided guidance throughout, sharing his insight into different crop varieties, their growing requirements and which species would be best suited to each garden.
Chris, who was the resident gardener on the long-running BBC children's television show Blue Peter from 2004 to 2014, said it was a fantastic day.
He said: “What struck me most during my visit was the enthusiasm everyone showed for getting involved, learning new skills and having the opportunity to get hands-on with growing. It was great to see people so interested in understanding how to grow their own fruit and vegetables, and enjoying the benefits that come from seeing something grow from seed to harvest.
“Roots & Shoots is a fantastic place for people to develop their knowledge, try new things and enjoy spending time outdoors. It's a beautiful, peaceful space and It's wonderful to see the opportunities it provides for people to learn, build confidence and enjoy the many benefits of gardening.”
Sue Wray, Head of Community at Hamelin said: “The visit was a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved to develop their horticultural knowledge, learn new skills and share ideas, while gaining inspiration from someone with such a wealth of experience in the world of gardening.
“It also highlighted how gardening can provide valuable opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills, work together and enjoy the satisfaction of growing something from seed to harvest.
“A huge thank you to Chris for taking the time to visit Hamelin, share his expertise and inspire everyone who took part. We look forward to seeing how the gardens and polytunnels develop over the coming months!”