Pupils from three Primary Schools in Andover, Hampshire and Morpeth, Northumberland took trips to their local Wyevale Garden Centres last month in the pilot of a school’s engagement programme.
The programme, which aims to engage and educate primary school children across Britain, supports Wyevale Garden Centres’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of young gardeners.
The school trips, designed to inspire the growing minds of young gardeners, began with an exploration of the centres, where the group of seven to eleven year olds discovered different types of plants, trees, flowers and garden tools. Shown various vegetables, herbs and fruit by the garden centres’ expert horticulturalist and staff, the pupils were encouraged to think about the journey our food takes – from a small seed in a pot to a delicious strawberry on a plate – and were invited to get creative by decorating strawberry markers and plant pots before planting their own seeds to bring home. The budding gardeners also learnt about the importance of garden wildlife, as well as the various trees, plants and flowers we can grow to provide them with food and shelter.
Andover Wyevale Garden Centre team leader Paula Smith commented: “We were delighted to be able to invite staff and pupils into our garden centre to learn more about wildlife gardening and growing their own fruit and vegetables.”
Heighley Gate Wyevale Garden Centre events leader Leah Grimwood added: “We hope to have inspired the pupils to keep up the brilliant work they’ve been doing at the school gardening club and to see some of them back in our centre very soon.”
