EVEN youngsters are going self-sustainable – by planting herb and vegetable gardens at their school.
Pupils at Oasis Academy Wintringham have planted a garden full of baby plants – including spring onions, pak choi, turnips, broccoli and broad beans – as part of the Dig For The Future project, which aims to get them learning more about organic vegetables.
In the next few weeks, project sponsors Sodexo, which provides the school's catering, and national firm Rocket Gardens will deliver soft fruit bushes, canes and plants in the next stage of the scheme.
The school has already cultivated the autumn/winter garden, and it was hailed a big success.
Janet Giles, the alternative learning provision manager at the academy, said: "The Dig for The Future project will greatly increase the chances of our students growing and eating their own produce."
And the grow-your-own fun doesn't stop there for pupils. After Easter, a spring/summer garden will be planted, producing crops of lettuce, spinach, carrots, leeks, tomatoes, runner and green beans, courgettes, cabbages and potatoes.
The project is the brainchild of Rocket Gardens, which promotes a "muddy boots" approach to learning.
A spokesperson for the firm said: "With a simple and structured approach, children can become involved on all levels from planning, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting and cooking.
"You can use grow bags, flower pots, borders, window boxes, raised beds or even your sports field. A 10 to 20 square metre area is wonderful – but not necessary.
"In a partnership with the charity Christian Aid, we did a vegetable garden using old coke cans to show how communities can provide food with limited space and very limited water!
"Success completely depends on each school and how they will look after the plants. The most important thing to remember for everyone thinking of doing this is that this sort of thing is not rocket science – so long as you label your plants, all they need is soil, water, food and some care."