This year's run is particularly special, as it marks the 100th year the Royal Horticultural Society-hosted bash is being held. 

In honour of the occasion, Oak Leaf Gates has designed a special set of entrance gates to be presented to the gardening charity as a gift. 

Standing 3.3 m wide and two m tall, they are hand built with an oak frame and filled with highly intricate metal work. 

"Having exhibited for the last 15 years at this wonderful show, we felt these gates would deliver a suitable legacy befitting this great milestone," said Richard Eccleston, managing director of Oak Leaf. 

Ambitious green-fingered enthusiasts who wish to make a big gate of their own will need to ensure that they have the right garden tools to clear some grass and soil space first! 

However, there have been some glimmers of good fortune – and it has been suggested that the burst of sunshine in the early part of May could have been ideal for blossoming tulips. 

This is according to the team at Avon Bulbs, who will be exhibiting some of their growths at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show from next week (May 21st). 

It was suggested that as recently as two weeks ago, the professionals were having some doubts as to whether or not any of their alliums would be ready in time. 

However, just a few days of sunshine proved to be all that was required to bring the plants back on track. 

The majority of bulbs need bright conditions to keep them short and tight – and gardeners would also be well advised to keep the soil in good condition by maintaining it with a cultivator or tiller. 

Carried out by weed killer firm Roundup, it was specified that six out of ten UK adults under the age of 40 are happy to sit by and watch from the kitchen windowsill as mum and dad get outdoors and do all of the hard work. 

A further third of respondents said they completely lack confidence in gardening – and one in ten added that they are happy to delegate the task to others who are much better at it already. 

This comes at a time when more widespread concern is being expressed in the horticulture industry regarding the relative lack of skilled younger people. 

Indeed, celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh recently argued that much more needs to be done in order to ensure that the activity carries appeal for younger people. 

Titchmarsh cited a survey carried out last year that revealed 70 per cent of 18-year-olds consider horticultural careers to only be suitable for those who have failed academically. 

However, spokesman for Roundup Gary Philpotts was less pessimistic, suggesting it is only natural for people not to show an active interest in their garden until a later age. 

He suggested this could be related to the older average ages at which people are becoming property owners. 

"If the average first-time buyer is in their mid-30s it's easy to see how up until then you have little experience of gardening," he commented. 

"At first, we all make mistakes, but slowly and surely you will pick things up – as long as you keep your lawn cut and tidy, the patio swept and keep on top of the weeds, you won't go far wrong," the expert continued. 

With the deadline for nominations looming tomorrow (May 18th), the gardening charity has teamed up with children's TV star Dominic Wood – best known for his work on the Dick and Dom Show – for one last push for entrants. 

This comes at a time when professionals in the horticultural industry are worried about the lack of enthusiasm for gardening among young people, with Alan Titchmarsh among those expressing concern. 

Wood underlined the fact that gardening can be a very rewarding pastime and is setting an example himself by enrolling on a horticultural course at RHS Garden Wisley. 

"It's not just about showing them where their food comes from – gardening builds confidence, teaches life skills and helps pupils engage with their subjects," the children's entertainer remarked. 

Despite this, the nation's horticulture industry is currently faced with a wide range of challenges – not least of which is the growing skills gap. 

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has carried out a report, which found that more than 70 per cent of businesses operating in the sector cannot find recruits who have the relevant skills to fill any vacancies. 

Almost 20 per cent of respondents added that they have no choice but to recruit from overseas – and this comes at a time when unemployment is on the rise in the UK. 

Slightly fewer than 70 per cent of surveyed firms underlined the fact that new career entrants are not adequately prepared for the kind of work they will be undertaking in their profession. 

The RHS report – which is entitled Horticulture Matters – was presented to the government earlier in the week (May 14th). 

Its announcement was timed so it would be unveiled ahead of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which is due to commence on May 21st, running for five days. 

Director-general of the RHS Sue Biggs, who is spearheading the report, said that her gardening charity has brought together some of the country's leading horticultural organisations for the benefit of the study. 

She stated that all of these groups are unanimous in their belief that urgent action is required to prevent an industry-wide crisis. 

Employers and schools in the education system are also called to action, as well as the government, in order to safeguard the UK's horticultural sector for the future. 

"This report isn't an unrealistic wish list of measures," Ms Biggs remarked, adding: "It already includes pledges of investment and commitment from the industry. But if the skills gap is to close, government has to play its part, too."