Going for growth
THE Ilkley-born gardener Alan Titchmarsh has done much to inspire a new generation of families to embrace the great outdoors. However, his work does not end here. Schools are now embracing the world of horticulture, with a survey suggesting that teaching children how to garden helps to improve behaviour and appreciate where food comes from.
The latest initiatives by the Royal Horticultural Society should, therefore, be nurtured – gardening provides both healthy exercise and, crucially, cheaper food bills for those who grow their own fruit and vegetables.
As such, this is just the type of initiative that primary schools should be undertaking – providing that they have the necessary land and sufficient teachers, and volunteers, of a green-minded persuasion. The ambitions do not even need to be of Chelsea Flower Show proportions to bring about green shoots of growth. Just remember the motto “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”.