As AG takes to the road again, come and say hello to us in July 2025
You read us every fortnight, now come and meet us in person and say hello! After several years’ absence, the National Amateur Gardening Show returns in 2025.
The event takes place on July 12 and 13 at the South of England Show at Ardingley in Sussex and a host of AG regulars including editor Kim Stoddart and columnists Toby Buckland, Ruth Hayes, Michael Perry, Adam Kirkland, Liz Zorab, Stephanie Hafferty and many others will be on site for two days of talks, demonstrations and audience Q&As. Plus except some exciting surprise announcements to come.
The show will be a family-friendly event, and there will also be plants for sale from local growers, nurseries and national plant associations, a food zone, English wine hub, arts and crafts, a children’s zone, health and wellbeing spot and a dogs and pets area.
All in all it adds up to a great day out and a fantastic celebration of the UK’s longest-running gardening magazine on favourite hobby.
Editor Kim said: We are so excited to be bringing the National Amateur Gardening Show back to life.
“It is often requested and mentioned by our readers and we can’t wait for it to happen, and to meet as many of you wonderful people as possible. Come along and say hello!”
The original National Amateur Gardening Show, which took place in September 1996, was the brainchild of former editor and current AG columnist Graham Clarke.
He said: “I was editor from 1987-1999, and in 1995 that I had the idea, along with our marketing manager, of bringing the magazine to life with a show.”
It was a storming success. Graham remembered: “The first year we were hoping for an attendance of around 30,000 but we actually had over 50,000, so we were on a major high.”
AG ‘agony uncle’ John Negus was a regular figure at the shows and has fond memories.
He said: “It was rather like a smaller version of Chelsea Flower Show, with plant displays, a plethora of sundries and flower arrangements.
“Together with the editor I organised the flower show exhibits. We had around 150 entries, with specific judges for veg, fruit, flowers, cacti and succulents and flower arranging.
“The Floral Pavilion was packed with exhibits from a wide range of specialist growers and there were RHS style awards – Gold, Silver, Bronze, Highly Commended and Commended – to encourage a high standard. On most days there were illustrated talks on a wide range of subjects.”
Ticket prices for NAGS 2025 are £12.50 in advance, £15 on the day with a weekend ticket option of £20 in advance and £30 at the gate.
For full details and to register an interest, visit www.amateurgardening.com/nags.
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