Students at two schools in Taunton have recently (May, 2013) received a selection of free seeds from a Somerset garden centre for their Grow Your Own projects.
Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield has donated seeds to Kingston St Mary Primary School and Taunton Academy for their fruit and vegetable growing initiatives.
Norma Moore, General Manager of the award-winning, family-run, independent garden centre, explained: “We donated a variety of seeds to schools in the area to sow in their school vegetable patches. “We’re always keen to support gardening activities with youngsters and to encourage the next generation of gardeners.” Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre was awarded the Albert Goodman Family Business Award at the Somerset Business Awards in 2012. Julie Way, Parent Volunteer at Kingston St Mary Primary School on Greenway in Kingston St Mary, said: “We host regular gardening lessons at the school and would like to thank Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre for its generosity. “We are eager to show the children how easy it is to grow their own vegetables.
The seeds donated include chard, lettuce, onion, potato, radish and runner beans.” Taunton Academy on Lyngford Road also received a selection of seeds for its Guerilla Gardening programme. Matt Naum, English Teacher at Taunton Academy, explained: “We’re delighted to have received the seeds from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.
They were given in response to a letter the students wrote requesting donations for their gardening project. “The seeds will be planted in our vegetable patch and also in various locations around the school ensuring that students, staff and visitors can observe the productive growth. We’re really looking forward to watching them grow.”
