From seed to soil: Andover pupils help wildflowers take root at Harmony Woods
Rain certainly didn’t stop pupils from Endeavour Primary School (King & Kirk campus), Portway Junior School, Clatford Primary School and Knights Enham Junior School from getting stuck in at Harmony Woods.
After the wet weather wrapped up and the children were ready to get their hands muddy, they returned to plant out wildflowers they had sown and grown themselves back in April.
The planting marked the latest stage of Andover Trees United’s Disappearing Wildflowers project, which has given the children the chance to follow the whole journey, from sowing tiny seeds and nurturing the young plants to finally giving them a permanent home at Harmony Woods.
Growing something for the future
The new wildflowers will add greater variety to the habitat at Harmony Woods, providing valuable food and shelter for insects, pollinators and other wildlife.
Just as importantly, the project has allowed the children to experience conservation for themselves.
Rather than simply learning about biodiversity in the classroom, they have been directly involved in creating and caring for habitat in their local community.
Abbey Sadler, Nature & Community Engagement Officer at Andover Trees United, said:
“There is something very special about children being involved from the beginning. They haven’t simply arrived to plant something someone else has grown. They sowed these seeds themselves, cared for them and have now come back to give them a permanent home at Harmony Woods.
“The rain certainly didn’t put them off. They got stuck in, worked brilliantly together and can now come back in the future and see how the wildflowers they planted are developing.”
Muddy boots and happy faces
Andover Trees United has worked with local schools for many years to give children practical opportunities to explore trees, wildlife, biodiversity and the natural environment.
Projects such as Disappearing Wildflowers help young people understand that caring for nature is not a one-day activity. It takes time, patience and continued care.
For these pupils, that has meant following their wildflowers through several months of growth before finally planting them at Harmony Woods.
The wet weather may have arrived at just the right time, providing plenty of moisture to help the young plants establish.
A huge thank you to the children and staff at Endeavour Primary School (King & Kirk campus), Portway Junior School, Clatford Primary School and Knights Enham Junior School for their enthusiasm, determination and continued support.