Budding gardeners visit Council's plant nursery
Last updated | 21/05/2008
Pupils at Perth and Kinross schools are being encouraged to become budding gardeners of the future through a series of visits to the Council's plant nursery in Perth.
Through a joint initiative between Education and Children's Services and The Environment Service, over a two-week period more than 200 pupils and their teachers from eight local schools are being shown around Westbank Nursery, where the children will work their way through specially-designed activities linked to the curriculum. These will include potting up plants to take back to enhance their school grounds, identifying plant varieties and learning about temperature control in the greenhouses and polytunnels. They will also find out more about why plants need water and how much, and see a demonstration on home composting.
Children from Stanley, Tulloch, Letham, North Muirton, Logiealmond, Abernethy and Caledonian Road Primary Schools have been visiting along with youngsters from Friarton Nursery. Each hour-long visit is being led by staff from Westbank Nursery and the Council's Environmental Initiatives Team.
Environment Convener, Councillor Alan Grant said:
“This is a great opportunity for the children to see and get involved in the work of the Council's plant nursery. At this time of year Westbank is a hive of activity and it really gives pupils the chance to find out about gardening and plants. I am pleased we have been able to link up with local schools' classwork in this way.”
Lifelong Learning Vice-Convener, Councillor George Hayton commented: "Children and young people are increasingly aware of and learning more about the need to protect the environment and the visits to Westbank Nursery will give them first hand experience of gardening and caring for plants. I am delighted that this opportunity has been made available to them and I hope they will learn a lot during their visits."
