Knights Enham Pupils Get Their Hands Dirty for Wildflower Conservation

On Thursday, July 18th, 35 Year 5 pupils from Knights Enham Junior School took part in a special hands-on gardening session at the allotment, helping to pot on wildflowers as part of the Disappearing Wildflowers community project. The activity forms part of a wider conservation effort to restore and protect lowland calcareous grassland — one of the UK’s rarest and most biodiverse habitats.

The day began with a short introduction to the 6 Trees and 6 Flowers project, which encourages children to learn and identify six native British trees and six local wildflowers. Pupils were introduced to species such as bird’s-foot trefoil, one of the plants they would later handle and nurture themselves.

Working in small groups, the children learned the steps of potting on — carefully transferring seedlings into larger pots to give their roots more room to grow. This vital stage helps the plants establish before they are transferred into their final home.

The wildflowers the pupils helped pot on will be planted out in Diamond Wood this October, where they will form part of a new flower-rich meadow. This habitat restoration is designed not only to boost biodiversity but also to combat climate change and engage the local community in protecting a unique and fragile ecosystem.

“Our goal is to connect young people with nature and show them how even small actions can make a big difference to our local environment,” said a project coordinator. “The children from Knights Enham were brilliant — enthusiastic, careful, and curious about how their work helps support wildlife.”

The meadows will feature species such as Primrose, Cowslip, Dog Violet, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Ox-eye Daisy, and Ladies’ Bedstraw — all part of the ‘6 Flowers’ featured in the project.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Knights Enham School for their continued involvement and to volunteer Doreen, whose help and guidance made the day a success. Thanks to their efforts, another step has been taken toward bringing wildflowers — and the pollinators that depend on them — back to life in our local landscape.