Young ideas take root

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has launched a nationwide initiative to encourage teachers, pupils and local adults together to develop school gardens.

Part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, Get Your Grown-ups Growing, will run in October, with primary schools across the country planning gardening events at which parents, grandparents and other adults can join the children and have fun in the garden.

Registration is now open, and teachers signing up will receive a free RHS pack, including how-to guides and activity ideas, as well as seeds, posters and stickers.

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Every school that takes part will have the opportunity to win some prizes, including woodstone planters from Marshalls plc.

The RHS has been running its Campaign for School Gardening since 2007. Almost three million children have already benefited, learning to care for

the wider environment and lead healthier lifestyles.

But many schools are still without a garden, and those that do have them need the support of their local community to keep them growing.

Graham Johnson, school facilities manager at Neasden Primary School,

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in Hull, took part in a Get Your Grown-ups Growing pilot scheme

last year.

"When we first got involved, all we had was a bare patch of unused ground. With the support and the resources provided by the RHS, and the time and effort put in by parents, grandparents and other locals, we've been able to build a 15ftx10ft greenhouse and several bat boxes.

"We are now growing our own wheat and barley and the children are really excited about tasting bread made using ingredients from their own school garden for the first time.

"It's a useful tool for introducing children to healthy eating and teaching them about where their food comes from.

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"I would encourage all primary schools and parents to get stuck in and have a go as it's a great opportunity to share this experience with the children and they really appreciate having their families and friends involved."

Gordon Seabright, acting director general, RHS, says: "Teachers involved in the Campaign for School Gardening, and our own research, tell us that gardening brings out the best in children, socially, emotionally and physically.

"It introduces them to the idea of growing their own food, caring

for wildlife and learning outside the classroom.

"For many, school provides the only opportunity to get involved in

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gardening, and we want to make sure that as many schools as possible can create and maintain an exciting growing space.

"To do that, they need the support of their community and Get Your Grown-ups Growing is a great, fun way to bring in that support."

To register or find out more, visit www.rhs.org.uk/gygg

YP MAG 12/6/10