Gardener Steve picks up a Silver Merit at BBC Gardeners World Live 2026

Credit: Gardener Steve Walton

Erewash Sound presenter Steve Walton, aka ‘Gardener Steve’ has picked up an award for a long-planned border installed at BBC Gardeners World Live 2026.

Steve, who presents a Sunday night show featuring a mix of music, gardening themed chat, interviews, what’s on and advice, has been busy over the past week getting things ready for the event held at Birmingham NEC over the weekend of Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June, having been working on an idea he has had for many years and particularly over the last six months.

The border, named ‘Returning To My Roots’ picked up a Silver Merit.

Taking to social media at the conclusion of the set up process, Steve said: “That’s it! Tools down! I can do no more!”

But after very quickly being bestowed with the Silver Merit but before the event opened, he said: “I’m really chuffed. The whole process has been amazing. I’m looking forward to chatting to the visitors about it.”

Showing just a picture of his merit alongside some flower pots on a stand before the show opened, Steve added: “Sorry! I can’t show any more of the garden at this stage, with people coming to see it!”

A sign for the show garden said: “2026 marks my 25th year working in horticulture, but the story began long before I knew what the word meant. It began with Grandad. Some of my earliest memories are helping him with the garden. It was a captivating space, full of wonderment, connection and contemplation. I learned that gardening isn’t instant, and that mistakes are part of learning.

“Eventually, my horticultural journey led me to training and assessing other entering the industry. Every learner I support, every qualification achieved, feels like another seed planted for the future of horticulture.

“The space I have created here, shows show the way we garden has changed and my “Once Upon A Time” – once there was a garden – Grandad’s Garden. It is still as important today as it was all those years ago.”

Steve was supported in his work by Derby College Group and Landmark.

Press and publicity spokesman for Erewash Sound, Ian Perry said: “We’re immensely proud of our Steve, for his hard work in creating this border, but also for being a key part of helping local people with their own green-fingered work in gardens across Erewash and further afield through his weekly show and via other routes.  Best wishes for a hugely successful weekend!  We hope that visitors to the show from our area will look out for Steve, his undoubtedly beautiful border and the Erewash Sound logo which Steve has proudly put into place as part of the installation.”