Planting Seeds in Minds, Hearts and Wasteland

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.” – Gertrude Jekyll

Opportunities to pass on gardening skills and an understanding of plants exist in every local community.

There is even a growing wave of guerrilla gardening. This is groups of people taking on abandoned and neglected land – sometimes with permission – to transform it in to a thing of beauty for people to enjoy or a food producing plot.

Log on to http://www.guerrillagardening.org for an inspirational array of projects and stories from dedicated people from throughout the world.

But if creeping around with a trowel and seeds and attacking neglected spots around your town isnot your cup of tea, there are still ways a dedicated greenhouse gardener can pass on their interests, and go to bed feeling smug at night.

Seed trays (available from Gabriel Ash) planted with cuttings from your prize greenhouse plants could make a much appreciated additional to a local nursing home, where residents can plant out the young seedlings in the Spring.

If you want to apply your green thumbs to help community projects around where you live, check http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/home for farm and community gardens that are always looking for volunteers and or contributions of plants.

Planted seed trays or a basket of excess produce can be presented to a local school for children to use. For many it will be the first time they see what is possible (and in some cases the first time they see food that doesn’t come in a packet or tin).

Gardening – for some folk – is a solitary and peaceful pastime. But if you do feel inclined to pass on your love, skills and successes, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the UK. And there cannot be many more rewarding things than giving children knowledge and enthusiasm for the simple pleasures of “grow your own”.

“My neighbour asked if he could use my lawnmower and I told him of course he could, so long as he didn't take it out of my garden.”

Comedian Eric Morcambe