BROMLEY: Youngsters to grow their own food (From News Shopper)

BROMLEY: Youngsters to grow their own food

8:10am Thursday 17th September 2009 in

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YOUNGSTERS at a nursery are to learn how to grow their own food and how to look after bees.

Lemongrove Day Nursery in Hook Farm Road, Bromley Common, started the initiative on September 15.

It will see the 20 children use a nearby allotment to learn how to grow vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, sweet peas and onions.

A local beekeeper, Mike Oliver, will be sharing his love of bees and explaining to the youngsters just how important the little insects are to the environment.

Tracey Bradbury, manager of the nursery, is very excited about the new project.

Mrs Bradbury said: “It will give the children a chance to learn where their food comes from and also a sense of responsibility.

“It is something that the children love and they also love the idea of having their own tomatoes or carrots in their shepards pie.”

The youngsters, who are aged between six months and five years old, have already used some of the outside space in their nursery to grow sunflowers, mustard and cress.

They also grew around 50 tomatoes and each child took some home to eat.

Mrs Bradbury said there is lots of wildlife and insects around the nursery and the children love to watch them and learn about them.

The nursery is going to help Mr Oliver by sponsoring a beehive and paying for its upkeep.

The beehive will be placed within the allotment and will give the youngsters a chance to see first hand how bees work.

And eventually it is hoped that the youngsters will be able to take home some ‘Lemongroves’ honey.

Mrs Bradbury added: “I think it is so important at this young age to get a grasp of where food comes from and what it is like to make it and grow it.”

For more information about the bee keeping, visit Mike’s website at beesnbeans.co.uk