Usual Chelsea floral displays will make way for more fruit and veg

The five-day show, starting on Tuesday, will reflect the trend among British gardeners to go back to their roots.

Royal Horticultural Society adviser Guy Barter said he has received many inquiries about growing vegetables.

He said: "At one time it was old chaps with cloth caps growing vegetables and now it is young women with families."

The Fetzer Garden's vegetable patch of carrots, beet, chard and leeks is expected to be among the highlights of the 83rd annual show at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, west London.

It seems to be a kind of Jamie Oliver influence Guy Barter, Royal Horticultural Society

In the Great Pavilion, herb expert Jekka McVicar will call on people to grow their own salad bags.

Chef Raymond Blanc and Newington Nurseries will display "exotic edibles" from Malaysia, which can be grown in the UK.

There will also be an exhibition in the Lifelong Learning area of an Organic Food for All campaign, which aims to enable people on low incomes to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Mr Barter added: "It seems to be a kind of Jamie Oliver influence. The vast majority of inquiries are on tomatoes and runner beans.

"In the wider world it has been reported that more packs of vegetable seeds have been sold and young vegetable plants are much more available now in much greater range."

The show, which is expected to attract 157,000 visitors, will feature around 50 gardens and more than 100 floral exhibitors. It is opening for an extra day on Saturday.