NEW Gardening in schools

With all the hype surrounding our environment these days it's no surprise that schools are playing a big part in educating our children about the importance of looking after planet earth.

More and more schools have realised the importance of being eco-friendly and are educating our children in the benefits of re-cycling, saving energy and growing their own food. Children are learning to care for our environment more and to share with each other what they have been able to achieve. The delight on the children’s faces when they are all able to pick and taste the produce they have grown themselves is fantastic and very rewarding.

Hands-on gardening enables children to gain knowledge of plant science, wildlife, environmental issues and the process of change, the children also gain an ‘outside classroom’. Gardening and growing things is both educational and healthy for children. Environmental awareness can be increased if the school gardens organically. From a health and safety point of view organic growing is essential which means no horrible chemicals!

There is nothing better than being outdoors and the children begin to realise where food comes from and are even up for trying things they may never have tasted before. The earlier we start to teach our children about healthy eating, the better. Let’s get our children gardening and watch them grow!

Click on the links at the top right of the page to visit some school gardening projects.

If you would like some help and advice on setting up a school garden or you would like your school featured on our website, please e-mail swc.aa@virgin.net with your details.