RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2019
Supported by Hartley Botanic
William Rae
Aged 11, The Edinburgh Academy Junior School, Edinburgh
Overall winner of RHS Young School Gardener of the Year
About William
Growing everything from radishes to rhubarb, knowledgeable young gardener William enjoys sharing his love of gardening with his schoolmates; instigating a garlic growing competition and mentoring his fellow pupils.
In addition to spending a huge amount of time in the school garden, William also recognises the wider environmental benefits of growing your own such as cutting down on plastic packaging and food miles.
Judges' comments
"William is an inspirational young man. I wish I’d had him at my school so I could have grown garlic instead of doing sports day! His commitment to the environment and understanding how horticulture can help the planet as well as his peers is truly remarkable."
"It's amazing to see someone so young showing true initiative by creating an alternative to sports for his fellow pupils. He is clearly a very natural and knowledgeable gardener and is very considerate of the people and the planet around him."
William's entry video