Pupils plant veggie gardens
A Botha's Hill primary school has received a daontation of gardening supplies to create it's own vegetable gardens.
EMPILWENI Primary School in Botha’s Hill will be able to grow much needed vegetables in their new veggie gardens thanks to the generous donation from Farmyard Organics.
Together with the Gardener magazine, Builders’ Warehouse and the Ripples for Good Foundation, who each contributed towards this initiative, Farmyard Organics donated 350 bags of compost, potting soil and bark chips valued at R6000 to the school.
The vegetable gardens were constructed out of wooden boxes, filled with potting mix and compost. The Empilweni learners and teachers then planted a large variety of seasonal vegetables. The vegetable boxes have been covered with shade cloth for protection from the elements and insects. The bark chips have been used to decorate the garden and to protect the plants from changing weather.
Zanele Chili, the principle at Empilweni Primary School said that the project would not only benefit the learners, but the entire community.
“Because we serve learners from an area of mainly RDP housing, most of our families are unemployed and have very little food. We hope the children will be able to take vegetables home to their families and teach them how to make their own vegetable gardens,” said Chili.
John Kidger, the owner of Farmyard Organics said that he is always happy to support a cause that helps families in these areas to learn how to provide for themselves.
“Children need a source of healthy vegetables to be able to apply themselves in the clas room. We are honoured to be a part of such a project,” he said.
