Know Your Roots campaign aims to forge grandparent-grandchild links through gardening

A new campaign to promote intergenerational links, food education and environmental knowledge has launched today as part of Grandparent Gardening Week, which runs from 19 to 23 March.

The Soil Association’s Food for Life programme and Pukka Herbs have teamed up to get children outdoors, since recent research found that the young generation has less contact with nature than ever before –nearly 60% of children are spending less time outdoors than their parents, with only 46% enjoying activities in nature with parents and grandparents.

Naturalists and environmentalists including Sir David Attenborough have warned of the loss to society and children’s own development if they are deprived of contact with the natural world. The Know Your Roots campaign will aim to build on knowledge and research that shows there are clear benefits associated with getting children outdoors and growing.

Getting involved

Fourteen schools around the UK will receive a raised herb planter complete with seeds, compost and all the resources needed to help them kick-start their herb growing journey. Children will plant, water and care for the herbs, and get to grips with their culinary uses. Home growing herbs, particularly using organic methods, promotes positive health and nutrition and can contribute to a diverse diet full of natural goodness.

The extra hands and help mean that school and nursery growing spaces will be rejuvenated in time for spring, and the intergenerational links will offer children the opportunity to gain knowledge from their grandparents.

Passing on skills