The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has launched a nationwide initiative that will bring 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, the RHS is urging as many primary schools as possible to get involved. 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. There will also be some fabulous prizes to win 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. However, there are still many schools without a garden and those that do still need the support of their local community to keep them growing.

Graham Johnson, School Facilities Manager at Neasdon Primary School 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 15x10 foot 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.  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.”

As a sponsor of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, Waitrose fully supports the Get Your Grown-ups Growing initiative: “It’s vital that young people have a better understanding of where their food comes from,” says Mark Price, Waitrose Managing Director. Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh is also enthusiastic about the campaign recalling that he got his first taste for gardening by helping his grandfather on his allotment.

Over 11,500 schools across the UK are now actively involved in grown and gardening through the Campaign for School Gardening. The RHS believes that gardening improves the quality of life and that everyone should have access to great garden experiences.

To find out more about the campaign or to register log onto: www.rhs.org.uk/gygg

Photo Credit: ©RHS Fiona Secrett