BBC Creator Lab x In Bloom: gardening and horticulture creator opportunity

BBC Creator Lab has returned with a brand-new opportunity for gardening and horticulture-focused digital creators, delivered in collaboration with TikTok and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

BBC Creator Lab is our talent discovery and development scheme designed to find the next generation of on-screen digital creators, supporting them to grow their careers across BBC platforms and beyond.

This year’s scheme will spotlight creators who can bring gardening, plants, nature and horticulture to life for young audiences, using engaging, accessible and distinctive social storytelling. Up to 13 creators will be selected for a two-day BBC Creator Lab retreat, exclusive access to capture content at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the chance for on-screen opportunities on BBC television programmes including RHS Chelsea Flower Show coverage and titles such as Gardeners’ World.

What you’ll get

Up to 13 creators will be selected to take part in the scheme, which includes:

• A two-day BBC Creator Lab content retreat taking place on March 23-25 2026 near Kent* containing workshops and development. sessions, opportunities to connect with fellow creators, BBC commissioners and production teams.
• Training, development and up-skilling from BBC and TikTok.
• The chance to pitch your ideas to BBC and RHS teams.
• Access to RHS Chelsea Flower Show to capture social media content.
• Opportunities to visit and capture content at other RHS Gardens, including RHS Garden Wisley.

Based on their pitches, up to five of the creators will then be selected for potential on-screen opportunities on BBC television programmes, including RHS Chelsea Flower Show coverage and titles such as Gardeners’ World.

All selected creators will also be commissioned by the BBC to attend RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19-23 May 2026) to capture social media content.

*Note dates might be subject to change. Travel and accommodation costs included.

Who we’re looking for

We're looking for talented, distinctive and experienced creators who are passionate about plants, outdoor spaces and nature, and who can communicate that passion in fresh, compelling ways on social and digital platforms.

You might be:

• A knowledgeable gardener, grower or plant specialist.
• A creative storyteller bringing gardening to new or younger audiences.
• A tips-driven creator sharing practical gardening advice, from budget-friendly ideas and houseplants to containers, window boxes and small-space colour.
• A curious, enthusiastic creator who is newer to gardening and sharing your learning journey, whether that’s exploring biodiversity, growing your own food, or reconnecting with nature for the first time.

To be selected, applicants should be able to demonstrate examples of the skills and experience below, but most importantly showcase passion, confidence and an authentic connection to the world of gardening and horticulture:

1. Gardening and horticulture knowledge and curiosity

• You have a strong interest in plants, gardens and growing – whether through deep expertise or an openness to learning and experimenting – from soil health and seasonal planting to biodiversity, food growing or sustainable practices.
• You can communicate what you know (or what you’re discovering) in a way that is clear, engaging and accessible, helping audiences of all experience-levels feel inspired, informed and confident to get involved.

2. Engaging personality and on-screen presence

• An engaging style that can captivate both beginner gardeners and seasoned plant lovers.
• You’re confident on camera with a warm, charismatic delivery and a clear point of view.

3. Digital production experience and social media savvy

• Experience creating and editing digital content, from short-form social videos to more in-depth explainers or storytelling pieces.
• A strong social media presence with the ability to spark conversation and engage communities across platforms.
• An understanding of how to create inclusive, accessible content that resonates with diverse audiences, in line with the BBC’s public service mission.

4. Content innovation

• An inventive approach to storytelling, finding fresh angles on gardening, plants and outdoor spaces.
• The ability to spot and respond to relevant gardening topics – from sustainability and biodiversity to new planting styles, tools or social gardening movements – bringing fresh perspectives to familiar topics.

We’ll select candidates based on their fit to the subject area, creativity (originality, ideation and quality of videos), and on-screen delivery.

Who can apply

The opportunity is for social and digital creators that meet the following criteria:

• Have a social presence across any of TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat.
• Have developed, created and published at least two videos that have reached over 100k views.
• Can demonstrate on-screen experience, ie often feature on social video content.
• Aged 18+.
• Based in the UK with the right to work.
• Made a positive creative or innovative impact across social platforms.

We welcome applications from Black, Asian, minority ethnic, deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creators and creators from low-income backgrounds.

Creators who have taken part in previous iterations of BBC Creator Lab are welcome to re-apply.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 8 February 2026 at midnight.

Submit a video and application via BBC Upload:

Please read the terms and conditions below before entering. For more information about how we will process your personal data, please read the privacy notice (pdf).

Terms and conditions

Proof of age, identity, residency, and eligibility may be requested. The BBC’s decision as to the eligibility of individual entrants will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The BBC reserves the right to the make final decision on publishing any commissioned content.

The BBC reserves the right to disqualify any entry which breaches any of these terms and conditions.

The BBC reserves the right to disqualify entries that are inconsistent with the BBC Editorial Policy Guidelines or which may bring the BBC into disrepute.

The BBC reserves the right to cancel or alter the scheme at any stage. In this event, a notice will be posted on this website.

The BBC reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any stage, including changing or substituting the selection process and the development opportunities. In this event, a notice will be posted on this website.

By applying for the scheme, entrants warrant that they have legal capacity to enter the scheme and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

The BBC’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

If you are offered paid work opportunities as a part of the scheme or after the scheme ends:

• A separate contract shall be issued on the BBC’s standard terms and conditions.
• The BBC shall pay standard fees for the work.
• If an independent producer offers you work then it shall be the producer’s responsibility to engage and pay you.

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.