GARDENERS and artists across the East End used trowels and packets of seeds to create art and the soil as their canvas instead of paint and paintbrushes. Former East London resident Kai Oi Jay-Yung filmed the action in the UK as part of an international

GARDENERS and artists across the East End used trowels and packets of seeds to create art and the soil as their canvas instead of paint and paintbrushes.

Former East London resident Kai Oi Jay-Yung filmed the action in the UK as part of an international day of Everbloom art with plots brightened up in Shoreditch as well as Berlin, New York and Amsterdam.

The Friends of Arnold Circus in Bethnal Green were out in force putting in new plants, whilst artists led people on a walk round Hoxton scattering capsules of seeds as they walked.

And in Calvert Avenue in Shoreditch gardeners from the New Hanbury Project planted some seeds and plants designed to attract wildlife, brighten up the area and provide food.

The Shoreditch based project works with people with people overcoming a range of obstacles including recovering from addiction or have mental health problems.

Gardeners from the project care for St Leonard's Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

But on Saturday they took their forks and trowels to Calvert Avenue.

Horticultural trainer Sean Carey said: "We planted Jerusalem artichokes which have flowers like sunflowers as they're in the same family and attract bumble bees. In the winter you can eat the artichokes."

He added: "We also planted California poppies and herbs.

"Gardening is really good for people with the therapeutic benefit of getting your hands dirty. Seeing something through from seed to either eating it and enjoying it or seeing something beautiful in the garden is wonderful.

"It leaves a wonderful legacy."

*The Everbloom Pocket City Pollination arts project posted tweets on www.twitter.com/uwac-