Lost generation of gardeners
12 October 2011
Results from a recent survey from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), have found that parents are lagging behind when it comes to gardening knowledge; with children and grandparents leading the way, mainly thanks to school intervention.
The survey, commissioned by the UK’s leading gardening charity, asked 500 parents, grandparents and primary school-aged children about their gardening habits, to discover if there is a ‘lost generation of gardeners’. The survey found that fewer than 1% of parents were taught to garden while at school, compared to 55% of grandparents and 40% of children.
With 65% of parents admitting that their own parents (now grandparents) know more about gardening than they do, and nearly half believing their own children, aged 4–11, have equal or better horticultural knowledge than themselves, it would seem today’s parents are shy of volunteering their time probably due to a lack of knowledge.
Engaging parents
In light of the survey results, the RHS is seeking to get more grown-ups gardening. The initiative 'Get Your Grown-ups Growing' (GYGG) is open to all schools registered to the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. Schools are asked to hold an event during October, encouraging their local parents and other adults to come along and get gardening.
Alan Titchmarsh, leading supporter of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, says; The fact that schools have really cottoned onto the benefits of gardening with their pupils is fantastic news, especially for children who are looking for different ways to learn, like I was.'
He adds; 'If we can encourage parents and the wider community to get involved with their school garden, then who knows, we might end up with a green revolution both at home and at school.'