Gardeners of the future win awards

So much interest in the School Gardens section

One of my earliest memories at school in north London in the early 1940s was learning to distinguish between an ash and horse-chestnut bud and then painstakingly to draw a twig of each to show the difference.

"Look, listen and absorb"

Later, in the late 60s when I became a teacher, I encouraged my young pupils to look around them, at wild flowers,  annual and perennial plants and trees, and the landscape in which they grew. I wanted to see them – and their parents – curious about the world in which they are growing up, and passionate about books – and, of course, gardens.

And books have been the theme for the children’s and students’ gardens this year. The results are ingenious and many show an understanding of bio-diversity, focussing on “issues that affect everyone, and how we can make the world a better place to live.”

Checking on the planting, with one of the children's project books

Books upon which the School Gardens were based ranged from Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Secret Garden, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, The Green Ship, The Chicken Gave it to Me, The Hodgeheg, Where;s Wally, The Railway Children, to The Wizard of Oz and The Iron Man, The Selfish Giant and Romeo & Juliet. 

Usborne Books gave a
book to each
award-winner

The gardens have been judged for certificates of commendation by a panel from the RHS and Three Counties Agricultural Society. In addition, Frank Hill from CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) joined the other judges to make cash awards to top gardens.

'100 Plants that almost
changed the world

Lots of awards were given for serious and whacky categories – from best grower to wackiest wellingtons. Awards were presented by Gardener and Author, Chris Beardshaw, who also donated a copy of his latest book to every school for their library. The gardens were sponsored by Bam Construct Ltd, whilst Blue Diamond sponsored the plants, trees and shrubs used .

Interpreting a theme is not easy

Whatever book title was selected by participating schools and colleges, they clearly perceived that gardens should be more than ornamental; all included ‘edibles’ in their designs. Maybe campaigns running over recent years to encourage healthy eating have been sufficiently successful that at last plenty of fruit and vegetables has impinged on their gardening.

Sweetcorn growing in the Wizard of Ox garden

And the marvellous news is that Horticulture is to become a part of the National Curriculum from September 2014, a step welcomed by the RHS. Sarah Cathcart, RHS Head of Education and Learning says, “We have been campaigning for this for nearly 10 years so we are thrilled that the Government has recognised the need for children to be taught gardening at school. We now need to help teachers and school staff get the support they need to teach horticulture to children.”

Busy, busy, busy

More reading will be involved for pupils and students participating next year, for the 2014 theme is to be ‘Great Moments in History’. The choice is enormous – with over 8,500 years since the recognised emergence of civilisation, there are plenty of events to choose from. Make sure you come back next year to enjoy the results.

Shopping Spree post will appear later this evening, or first thing tomorrow.

Starting young ...

School children ready for a day at the Spring Gardening Show

Have you ever considered as you walk around the Showground, absorbing the beauty of the gardens and so many plant nursery delights, from whence stems all this inspiration? We all have to begin somewhere, and so very often, what we are introduced to in childhood becomes first an interest, and for some the passion of a lifetime. For me there were many triggers which began over 70 years ago walking with my grandmother in the Surrey woods. What I unknowingly absorbed then and later now fuels much that goes on in my eclectic garden and orchard, my writing, my travels, my creative journals; in fact these childhood beginnings have taken over my whole life.

Enthusiastic, bright-eyed children explain to me their participation at the 2012 Show

Why this preamble? I want to introduce you to the educational side of  Malvern and to the Society's commitment to working with children through all ages and stages of education - over the entire year. Marvellous work is undertaken on the Showground and in schools under the auspices of Education Officer, Sue Hodgson-Jones. 

The children just love talking to visitors about their garden

A culmination for many youngsters is their fantastic work at the Spring Gardening Show – gardens designed by school and college groups and created under much the same conditions as those you will see by adult and professional designers. The children’s enthusiasm is boundless; talk to them about what they create – they are knowledgeable and dedicated, as are their teachers and tutors; what they do goes far beyond curriculum specifications.

These pupils, with their classmates, based their whole exhibit 
on a storybook

This year the theme is truly inspiring – and even more educational than usual. Sixteen gardens are to be created by pupils from nursery age right through to college students. Their chosen theme will be based on 'Storytelling': book titles, or aspects thereof. The uninitiated may not realise the significance of this; a book has to be thoroughly understood before it can be interpreted in a creative, living format.

The style of school gardens often takes you by surprise - ingenious use of recycling in this one

No children? There was so much detail in this garden 
that we could only photograph it during their lunch break 
- and this is only a part of it

The ‘School Garden Project Challenge’ is a regular event at the Spring Gardening Show and all participating establishments are as keen as ever this year to be involved. Their remit this year is to “Design, plan and build you a 24sqm Show Garden.” 

Many schools also displayed additional work from school and even set up shop!

The project is extremely rewarding and offers pupils and students the chance to learn a wide range of skills (planning, gardening, communication and team work). It also encompasses many National Curriculum subjects; and many schools display some of their classwork at the Show.

In safe hands: BAM Construct supply help and support
(see green display board in the background)

Support is offered throughout the whole process, and particularly from Show Sponsors BAM Construct who are available throughout the show garden build-up, which for schools begins on 18th April, just three weeks before the opening day of the Show.

Always popular is the 'Discovery Zone' with plenty of hands-on activities

Apart from the youngsters’ show gardens, there is educational fun for all the family within the adjacent ‘Discovery Zone’ marquee. Take a look here at some of the activities on offer.

Notebook at the ready - and a fund of knowledge to impart to visitors

I was pleased to have the opportunity at a previous Show to talk
to Chris Beardshaw about his views on the importance of
educational participation at these shows.

The Education Section is situated between Rows 5 and 7, next to the main Show Gardens. With the Spring Gardens Coffee Court alongside, there’s no excuse for neglecting the work of pupils and students! So please find time to visit this important and pleasurable aspect of the Show; your support will encourage the children and help them to discover just how passionate we ALL are about gardens and gardening. Or we would not be at Malvern, would we?

For more details on Three Counties Educational Activities, please visit the website.

WHY NOT ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PAGES, TOO?  (Just click on the links):
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Malvern Autumn Show

AND PLEASE KEEP VISITING Ann's Malvern Jotter: I’ll be blogging again every week during the Show build-up, and daily 'live' during the actual Show. I also recommend regular clicks onto the Spring Gardening Show website for regular updates and more breaking news.