Now that I’ve got my first book out, and the second is on the way and out next May, I feel that it’s time to impart my gardening knowledge onto the younger generation. So I have got together a variety of fun things to do all year in the garden. I’ve written to loads of schools in my area and have had several replies already. I am pleased to announce that I have just done my first event, which was very exciting. I spent an hour and a quarter with a group of 4 children at The Children’s Trust in Tadworth. These children are wonderful, and so are their staff. All the children are either severely disabled, or have brain injuries. So I knew that I was going to have to take a different approach. We made bird feeders in juice carton. This meant that there was going to be loads of mess, but most importantly, loads of things for them to feel and touch. We mixed together lard, mealworms, peanuts, bird seed, pork fat, pieces of apple and pieces of red pepper. They got to feel the difference between all the things we were using, and got to mix them all together, which they found so much fun. A couple of the children were a bit unsure to start with about touching it all, various words like “Gross and disgusting” were said, but they soon got stuck in and didn’t mind. Once they’d made their feeders, we went outside and they hung their feeders on a tree. We took the time to find the perfect place for each one. After we’d come back inside and cleared up, I read Lottie and Dottie Sow Carrots to them, and we talked about any seeds they’d ever grown. They were full of ideas which was brilliant. Then as they left the class they were telling anyone they saw about what they’d done. As I was clearing away I asked the teachers if what I had done was ok, and they were so happy with it all. They were amazed that the children had concentrated for such a long time as their sessions are no longer than 45 minutes. What makes that place so amazing is not only the children who are just brilliant, but the staff. They support the children all day, every day. They all feel valued and feel that they’ve achieved so much each day. I suggested that maybe I come back in the spring and we could sow some seeds, as they have raised beds outside, and they all seemed very keen. Hopefully they’ll pass on to other schools how much they enjoyed it and I’ll get some more chances to impart the gardening bug on to others. Fingers crossed.