We will be developing this separate section Children Only! much more in the coming months.

September 06

In Stop Press last time (August 06), there was quite a lot of coverage of the achievements of Alfie Leach, age 10.  He continued along much the same lines with the Royal Show too. Yes, he does win lots of prizes but the most important thing is probably that he gets such a lot of pleasure out of growing his own.

We have news of another young person who is keen on gardening.  Mother Julie sent us this information about her son Michael Jones (now 7) of Union Mills.  Michael has been organically growing vegetables with her in their garden for the last 18 months.  To date, he has produced fantastic peas, broccoli, carrots, potatoes and sweetcorn (his favorite vegetable!), alongside the organic vegetables and soft fruit she has grown.  He grows in a raised bed, and he also helps plant in containers as well as occasionally helping with her plot.  As you can see from the photo from last year’s production, he really puts his ‘heart’ into his gardening, and all grown to organic principles too! 

We want to encourage lots more children like Alfie and Michael to take up gardening.  These two may be exceptional, but we are sure they are not alone. Tell us about your children’s interests and involvement in gardening, by emailing the Editor

One of the best ways children can have their own plot is a method called Square Foot Gardening.  Watch out for more details of this in a later update.

Would your children like some free organic seeds to sow even at this stage of the year?

Organic Gardening Magazine, in their regular Children’s Page called Gardening Bug are offering some right now. 

Everyone who sends the Editor a letter, a photo or a drawing this year will receive 6 FREE PACKETS of organic seed.  She will send you 6 sorts of seeds you can still sow in summertime.  Get your child / children to write a letter telling her about his/her garden ; draw a picture of the garden your child is growing this year – or send a photo of your child in his/her garden.  Send it to The Bug, Organic Gardening Magazine, Sandvoe, North Roe, Shetland, ZE2 9RY or e-mail to gaby@organicgardeningmagazine.co.uk