Award-winning Earley garden designer Marc Buirski is set to inspire thousands of green-fingered visitors with a Showcase Garden at this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, made with Reading school children in mind.
Otherwise known as 2 Forks and a Spade, Marc will be creating The Retreat, a large-scale woodland-inspired mindfulness garden.
It has been created with the wellbeing of school children and their teachers in mind, as it will be dismantled and relocated to Earley St Peter’s C of E Primary School after the fair.
“My daughter is in Year 1 in the school, and I realised they don’t have much access to outside space,” said Marc. “So when we knew we were set to do the show garden, we offered it to the school afterwards. Playgrounds can be intense and overwhelming, so we wanted to create a quiet space for everyone.”
The garden has been designed to offer a peaceful space for a moment of calm during the busy school day, where pupils and staff can catch their breath and be immersed in nature.
Designed to be low-maintenance and left to grow wild, it will include eight trees – one for each year group to take responsibility for – an 8m x 4m woodland glade filled with benches for outdoor lessons, and will be surrounded by beds filled with shade-loving plants, all designed to show students the benefits of the outdoors.
“I’m a big believer that the more we can plant things, the better off we’ll be,” said Marc. “Having access to green space really does help people’s mental health, plus it helps children be aware of what’s going on with our planet and encourage them to get involved.”
This will not be Marc’s first time participating in an event. He was presented with a Platinum Award at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House and Gardens, Essex in 2023 in the Beautiful Borders miniature show garden competition for his dramatic entry, Surrounded by Plants.
Lucy Tremlett, head of horticultural division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, said: “No matter what size garden or level of gardening experience you have, it’s impossible to spend a day at the Spring Fair without feeling inspired.
“After Marc’s success at our Autumn Fair last year, we can’t wait to see his Retreat Showcase Garden in situ at Beaulieu in May, and know that it will give visitors some wonderful ideas to take home.
“With gorgeous spring plants, garden inspiration, expert tips and advice, and more to offer, the Spring Fair really is the perfect place for a great day out.”
The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair takes place at Beaulieu in the New Forest, Hampshire from 3-5 May.
Tickets are on sale now at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com, and include full access to all of Beaulieu’s gardens, grounds and attractions, including Palace House and the National Motor Museum.
