With some of their unusual plant containers at St John’s Primary School, Sandown, are, from left, William Vincent, Ruben Cheverton, Thomas Watson, Darcey Mitchell and Emillia Byrne. Picture by Peter Boam.
GARDENINGNOW, anything that interests young gardeners and fires their imaginations to take on what can turn into a rewarding lifelong hobby is a good thing.
And at St John’s CE Primary in Sandown they have hit on an idea that does just that.
The school has spearheaded a gardening on a shoestring project that enthuses youngsters by showing them that plants will grow in almost anything, given the right food and drink.
Reception teacher Sonia Webb told me the family gardening project there is four years old now and is going from strength to strength.
The school started it with planting trainers, shoes, high heeled boots and wellies — as every family has an old pair of shoes somewhere in the cupboard — as an affordable way for everyone to get in to gardening.
"It was great fun and all the children who entered really enjoyed it. The next year we were lucky enough to have our high sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh, come along to judge and we asked families to plant the most unusual container they could find," said Sonia.
"We had the most amazing entries — a crash helmet, a toilet, a toddler’s trike, a tray, and a handbag, among others.
"Last year we entered the community section of Wight in Bloom and were runners-up with a fun display in front of the school, including a dolls house planted up by the pre-school.
"This year is our last year as St John’s as we are closing to re-emerge as the Bay Primary in September, so families have entered a range of containers — a school book bag, a school jumper, a first aid kit, a tea trolley, a scarecrow and a removals truck and a road cone!"
The school is offering a range of prizes that have been donated by Morrisons, Honnor and Jeffrey, Thompsons Nursery and Busy Bee. Wight in Bloom and Sandown in Bloom judges were there a few days ago. All at the school were keeping their fingers firmly crossed.
But the most important thing, said Sonia, is that the families have loved doing it — without spending a fortune — truly gardening on a shoestring. That is the best kind.