Gardening Santa

 Full points to Open Gardens Australia's Santa this season.  Confronted with the expectant faces of a melee of young folk, he reached into his sack, and handed over small presents to each... not the common assortment of cheap lollies from our Santa, but a thoughtful array of garden-related goods.  Hand tools scaled for use by small hands, packets of seeds, colourful garden gloves (oh, and a couple of small model Spitfire 'planes... for reasons that shouldn't need explanation).

The delight on the faces of the recipients was genuine, and I would be surprised if Santa's gifts have not already been usefully deployed in the home garden patch by most of those kids.  Santa, like many others among us, is well aware of the importance of providing opportunities for young people to get their hands into the dirt, to grow plants, and to simply enjoy being out in a garden.  If a colourful pair of gloves makes that experience more enticing, then all the better (though the same can't be said for washing up, but that's an entirely different matter...).

We know from research around the world about the value of young people being involved with garden activities - be it informally in the home garden, or in a more structured way through schools or other forms of organisation.  We understand better now (I hope) how these experiences can assist in the development of a stronger connection with nature, and custodianship of the local environment.  

In October late last year I was thrilled to present the opening address at the 'Jardins Sans Limites' (Gardens Without Limits) conference in Metz, France.  The theme was 'the value of gardens for young people', and we were treated to a wonderful selection of inspiring speakers, mostly from the northern hemisphere (Kate Hillier from the Ellerslie Flower Show in NZ was the other southern hemisphere traveller!).  Full credit to Pascal Garbe (Director of the Jardins Fruitiers de Laquenexy near Metz) and the Regional Council of Moselle - they really know how to put together an outstanding event.  

In introducing the topic and talking about the Australian experience, I found a plethora of examples of projects and programs focused on providing opportunities for children in gardens.  Of course, the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden at RBG Melbourne is (not only in my view) one of the best examples of a garden (i.e. with plants!) specifically designed to encourage creative play.  This garden is highly regarded internationally by those who know it (and also very well-loved locally by its regular energetic patrons!).

Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Foundation in Australia continues to provide a structured program and template for schools to follow, linking growing produce with healthy eating... and of course many other schools and groups undertake similar activities on their own, usually with the ardent support of some enthusiastic volunteer parents.

Our own Open Gardens Australia seeks to encourage young people to be interested in gardens, by providing free entry to all under 18 years old.  To be honest, I haven't seen many 17 year-olds being taken around a garden and exhibiting the symptoms of horticultural excitement... but who knows?  Most of us when we think fondly of a place of our childhood will remember a particular place in a specific garden - complete with its sounds, smells, colours and textures.  

If we can assist by embedding that memory of a garden in everyone's minds, then we have done something of lasting value.  Well done, that Santa.