11th March 2010 South West Region Annual Education Conference Hosted by Somerset Gardens Trust. Held at Hestercombe Garden Taunton.
> Conference Report

17th March 2010 South East Educaton Meeting hosted by Surrey Gardens Trust held at Painshill Park.
> Conference Report

Kelmarsh

The Head Gardener at Kelmarsh acknowledges AGT assistance in obtaining a grant to facilitate, through volunteering and education, the rejuvination of their walled garden. > See more (pdf)

> Royal approval for priestlands School sausages

 

The Future of School Gardening

There is no doubt that school gardens have become more popular over the last few years. It is very encouraging that teachers and parents are keen to help children learn how to grow plants and we are in a position to be there to help them. School grounds can be very barren places without much colour and with security being such a high priority; it can be rather daunting for small children with high fences and metal gates. We have to find small corners that can be used as growing sites to soften the surroundings and with the use of raised beds, tarmac areas or open fields can be used as gardens. These are so easy to work as they are a good height for small hands and help to resist the invasion of ball games or grasses depending on the chosen area. The edges of the beds can be used as seating for discussion or story telling and therefore become part of a quiet or sensory garden.

Getting schools to know that we exist can be frustrating but there is a good ‘postal’ system out of your local county education department to all schools, most of which can be used by any persons who wish to pass on information and if the general system does not deliver results then do try a letter to the Chairman of Governors as another line into the school. A general newsletter from the Trust can be a way to attract attention or most counties have a Healthy Schools Programme with a newsletter which they send out two or three times a year and they would be delighted to have an article from the local Gardens Trust as to how it might help.

Money is by no means everything, there are plenty of grants available from supermarkets to local businesses but schools do need our help with gardening knowledge and advice. To see children enjoying growing their vegetables and with the emphasis on the growing, cooking and eating we are much in demand.

Juliet Wilmot