Now in its 18th year, the London Farms and Gardens Show celebrates and showcases the work of community gardens and city farms in inner-city London.

Working particularly with children and young people, the show’s exhibitors and organisers are small charities which offer experience of the natural world to Londoners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Gardens and farms from all across London come to take part. This year they include the Woodlands Farm Trust in Greenwich, St Mary’s Secret Garden in Hackney, Rotherhithe’s Surrey Docks and Hammersmith’s Phoenix School Farm.

They show what they have grown, from giant sunflowers to mini-gardens. Animals range from Shire horses to small ferrets and call ducks. Many of the animals shown are rare breeds such as Buff Orpington chickens and Southdown sheep and are looked after by the young farmers clubs.

The horticulture show, taking place on September 17, reflects and celebrates the diversity of London’s harvest produce. Everything, from King Edwards potatoes to Bangladeshi gourds and even chickpeas, exhibited at the show, are grown in London.

Entering a horticulture show encourages and recognises the work of the many volunteers involved with these small charities.

Growing fruit and vegetables near to where they live shows kids where their food comes from and shows that it is possible to grow fresh local produce yourself or buy it to support your local community garden or farm.

The show has been fortunate enough to attract volunteer judges who are experts in their field, from celebrated establishments including the Chelsea Physic Garden. For the animal show, one judge comes from Cambridge and others come from Duchy College in Cornwall to support the young people.

Some 200 young people meet others from different backgrounds and learn to work together as a team. Putting on a show for the public and being judged on their work is a great confidence-builder for the young people and a great source of pride for the community projects.

City Harvest is organised by London’s community farms and gardens, and is hosted and supported by Capel Manor College, London’s main provider in horticulture and animal care.

The college made a 3 minute video of the 2015 show which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=f7z9l4PzRGM