Five schools scoop garden idea prizes

Generous judges in a school garden competition have decided to award all five primary schools that entered the competition a cash prize.

The Green Team Big Project competition was won by St Sidwells School but the four runners up will each receive a cheque for £250 to help develop their gardens, according to thisisexeter.co.uk.

All five Exeter primary schools impressed the judges, although it was St Sidwells idea for a sensory garden that scooped the top prize, meaning it will now see its plans become a reality.

Judge Marc Astley explained that the simple nature and the childrens commitment to looking after the sensory garden gave it the slight edge on the competition.

"I liked this scheme as it is not over-ambitious and I can see that it can be made to work quite quickly," he told the news provider.

"It is also something that will allow the children to follow its progress throughout the year."

Giving children a good education in how plants grow in the garden and greenhouse will help ensure a firm understanding of the importance of horticulture among the next generation of gardeners.

Meanwhile the credit crunch doesnt seem to be putting gardeners off, with the Malvern Spring Gardening Show recently recording higher than usual advanced sales, according to the Malvern Gazette.