With Easter almost upon us I hope to have some help from my young son and grandchildren to put up a pollytunnel. This got me thinking about how so very few of our young people know about growing the food they eat. Some schools do include it in the curriculum, but very few I am afraid. They grow up and consider buying vegetables sweating in plastic wrapping from the supermarket the norm. If they just were taught at an early age that to plant a few potatoes, runner beans or onions is not difficult at all. Admittedly more people are growing their own produce than ever before, but I think we need to include the young ones wherever possible. A couple of years ago I had a competition with my brood to see who could grow the tallest sunflower. Picking tomatoes or digging up potatoes will get them interested. As an increasing amount of families are forced to use food banks I think we need arm our children with a little skill in the garden. Give a child a strawbale and in time he or she will reward you with crispy lettuces or big healthy cabbages, and be bursting with pride that they have achieved something meaningful, rather than how many people they have zapped on their playstation.
