Little garden and greenhouse fans learning their trade

Schools in Hall County, Georgia, are teaching kids the skills they need to become garden and greenhouse experts.

According to the Gainesville Times, Myers Elementary and 11 other schools in the area are taking part in the Junior Master Gardener programme being run by Texas A&M University.

Master gardener and chair of the programme Mindy Wade told the newspaper that it is aimed at elementary school kids through to fifth grade pupils.

"Kids at that age are so eager to have their hands in the soil. They’re enthusiastic, and if we can start them out at that age with a love of gardening, they’ll carry it with them forever," she explained.

The children are taught garden skills as part of their curriculum and can opt-in to extra activities after school.

Participants are working towards a certificate from the National Junior Master Gardeners, which will see them gain their first formal horticulture accreditation.

In other news, the New Jersey Daily Record has reported that a Roxbury community garden is to be honoured with an Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions Environmental Achievement Award.