Working together with local schools

With aim of encouraging an interest and knowledge of gardening in our local schools, our Growing Together co-ordinators have been working hard to set up Gardening clubs and work alongside volunteers to create areas in the schools where this can all happen.

At Mengham Junior School the gardening club is well established under the watchful eye of Tony Athill and has been very busy with more children involved than ever before. The children have filled their allotment with vegetables all grown from seed and which are all thriving.

They have already harvested a crop of radishes and various types on spinach. Much gets eaten within seconds of picking. The children have produced some beautiful lines of carrots and salad leaves which is making weeding easier.

Beyond the allotment the new orchard is coming along nicely and there may even be some apples and pears in its first year. They are looking forward to seeing the snowdrops planted around the trees next spring. The lack of nectar producing wild flowers has been made up for in the jubilee garden.

Over two lunchtimes the children planted 150 bedding plants all grown from seed or tiny postiplugs. The children went for a far more challenging crown design and we were all so impressed with the result. (Photo MJS 4)

The children have produced so may plants that two plant sales have been held at the school. The funds will help pay for the vast amounts of compost they get through to supplement the compost they make themselves. They have also grown enough plants to donate some for the planters outside The Hayling College.

 

Lesley Tyrell has been leading the team of helpers at Mill Rythe Infants school. The main tasks were clearing all the overgrown areas and raised beds at the front of the school. These have been successfully planted up with salad vegetables and flowers. Over 100 snowdrops have been planted in the garden to the rear of the school which we again were donated and will give the school a magnificent display next spring.

The boat at the school entrance was empty and has now been filled with plants donated by members of the Horticultural Society. A divided raised bed was planted up with sweet peas and lavender and has attracted a bumble bee nest. More sweet peas were planted in containers at the rear entrance to the school. A triangle to the front of the garden required a ton of compost to top it up, and this was planted with red, white and blue flowers for the Jubilee celebrations. This is still ongoing, and they are looking for more plants to complete this bed.

At The Hayling College, Ray Jones and his team of volunteers continues to work on clearing the areas around the school and potatoes and other vegetables have now been sown in the area beside the AstroTurf. A group of volunteers from the Society have been working on clearing and planting up the beds and planters at the front of the school. The college Head, Martyn Reah has expressed his thanks and appreciation for the work done by the Society and the Growing Together teams.

A team of volunteers is also starting work on Mengham Infants School and will be working alongside OSCAs after school and holiday club.

None of this work is possible without the goodwill and support of volunteers. Getting involved is fun and does not need to be on a regular basis as we all learn and ‘Grow Together’ If you can help or just want to find out more, please email us at schools@hihs.org.uk

Liese Holden, Publicity Officer, HIHS