SOMETHING THE KIDS WILL REALLY DIG THIS MONTH
GET out and get digging. That’s the message from The National Allotment society during its annual week to get us ‘living and growing’.
The aim is to encourage everyone to start growing their own food whether it’s in a special site or in their gardens, backyards or balconies.
And while the week runs from August 13-19, there are events being held across the UK throughout the whole of the month.
During National Allotments Week, sites across the UK are opening their gates, showing off their skills, sharing their joy in gardening and communal endeavour to encourage everyone to join them – perhaps being inspired to hone their horticultural skills and consider taking on an allotment for themselves.
There are open days during the whole of August along with BBQS, exhibitions, produce stalls, music and even ‘chicken-poo bingo’ on sites across the country.
Of course allotments and the joys of growing aren’t just for adults.
Di Appleyard from the NAS says: “An increasing number of families rent plots and garden together, and benefit from access to exercise, healthy food and contact with nature.
“Children who have planted seeds and watched a crop develop are far more likely to eat vegetables routinely and establish healthy eating habits that will last into adulthood.
“The majority of allotment sites now welcome families, and taking your children or grandchildren down is a great way of helping them to understand how food is produced; and allowing them to spend time outdoors getting some healthy exercise.”
Di suggests giving children their own small plot to look after will encourage them to feel independent and perhaps plan for themselves, with themes like a world garden or a wildlife plot.
For more ideas and information, and details of events near you, visit: nsalg.org.uk/newsevents-campaigns/ national-allotmentsweek/