THE BEARDY GARDENER

GARDEN DESIGNER • WRITER • PRESENTER •

mental health advocate

I inspire people to get gardening for their wellbeing

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It’s lovely to meet you

Leigh Johnstone, known as The Beardy Gardener, is an award-winning garden designer, writer, broadcaster and mental health advocate. His work helps people connect with gardening and nature to support positive mental health, wellbeing and confidence.

Through show gardens, community projects, education work, writing and media, Leigh creates accessible, meaningful spaces and stories that show how powerful nature can be in helping people feel calmer, more connected and more hopeful.

Read more about Leigh Johnstone (The Beardy Gardener)

WHAT I DO

Featured
SNG ‘In Bloom’ Competition 2026
SNG ‘In Bloom’ Competition 2026

I am a judge and advisor for Sovereign Network Group’s ‘In Bloom’ competition.

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The Classroom Garden, RHS Chelsea Flower show 2026
The Classroom Garden, RHS Chelsea Flower show 2026

Created for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 with Children’s Gardening Coach Lee Connelly, The Classroom Garden reimagined what education could feel like if nature sat at the heart of school life.

The garden was visited by His Majesty The King and helped shine a national spotlight on the importance of nature-based learning in schools.

Dandelion Time Candlelit Christmas Fundraiser
Dandelion Time Candlelit Christmas Fundraiser

I was proud to speak at the ‘Candlelit Christmas’ fundraiser supporting the incredible work of Dandelion Time. The event celebrated the inspiring work of the Charity and how they use the power of nature, creativity and connection in helping children and families heal.

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RHS Wentworth Woodhouse, 2025
RHS Wentworth Woodhouse, 2025

I spoke at the very first RHS Wentworth Woodhouse Flower show with two packed talks about my journey into horticulture and how to get children gardening.

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Garden Gathering
Garden Gathering

In June 2025 I curated my first ever Garden Gathering, a special event at the picturesque Longstock Park Nursery on the Waitrose and Partners Leckford Estate. 

I brought together lots of my horticultural friends for an inspiring day of workshops, live demonstrations, plant sales, and family-friendly activities.

This fundraising event supported Andover Mind’s ‘Garden for Mind’ initiative, a therapeutic green space dedicated to enhancing mental health and wellbeing.

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BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 2025
BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 2025

I appeared at BBC Gardeners’ World Live on the ‘In Conversation Stage’ hosted by Ade Sellars. I spoke across the weekend about how to create community gardens that can help people thrive.

Gardening Expert, BBC radio solent
Gardening Expert, BBC radio solent

I am a regular gardening expert on BBC Radio Solent, where I share practical tips, answer listener questions, and help people get the most out of their gardens all year round.

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FEATURED

The classroom garden, Chelsea flower show

The Classroom Garden explored what education could feel like if nature was placed at the heart of school life. Created for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, the garden reimagined a traditional classroom as a living, breathing space filled with plants.

Designed with Lee Connelly to spark conversation around children’s wellbeing, confidence and connection to nature, the garden asked a simple question: what if every child had the chance to learn with the natural world, not just about it?

  • That is very impressive dancing, a whole new angle and possibilities in horticulture. Fantastic!

    Monty Don

  • “Leigh effortlessly embraced the demanding role of hosting The Potting Bench stage at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, handling it with ease and grace. Additionally, he swiftly established meaningful connections with specialised plant nurseries all across the UK, going above and beyond to even help them develop their businesses’ social media.”

    Mike Cole, Royal Horticultural Society

  • ‘The Beardy Gardener's Giving Garden at Festival Place went beyond just being a beautiful addition to the surroundings. It had a tangible and lasting impact on local schools and communities. By providing a learning space, the garden was part of a valuable resource for nearby schools. Students had the opportunity to learn about gardening, sustainability, and the importance of nature.'

    Emily Palmer, Festival Place Shopping Centre

  • It was a real pleasure to work with Leigh on our young people's gardening and wellbeing project this summer - Leigh brings a wonderful energy, enthusiasm and sincerity to his work, sharing his own experiences from life as well as from gardening, and participants really connected with this approach. Leigh created a strong project brief with us, taking inspiration from the gallery and its historic garden, and turned this into a really inspiring and rewarding programme for all involved.

    Allen Gallery and Garden Project Team, Alton

  • “This great new garden design was developed with the local community as we listened to our customers vision of how the garden should look in terms of design, colours, textures and types of plants and flowers they wanted to see. I’d also like to thank the excellent support we’ve had from the Beardy Gardner and his outstanding level of expertise."

    Stevie Chadwick, Sovereign Network Group

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CONTACT ME

If I can help design you a garden, speak at an event, deliver a communtity project or anything else, then I would love to hear from you. Reach out and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

GET IN TOUCH

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