Twenty schools to exhibit carrot growing skills at the West Show

Students from twenty schools, including sixteen primary schools, are taking part in the latest project by the Little Green Fingers initiative, which is sponsored by Bedell and Jersey Farmers’ Union.

As part of the ‘Schools’ Carrot Competition’, the schools have been supplied with multi-purpose compost, 20 litre plastic pots, sweet candle carrot seeds and instructions on how to grow the perfect carrot.

The winner of the competition, which is sponsored by Jersey Farmers’ Union and Rondels Farm Shop, will be judged at Jersey’s flagship agricultural event the West Show on July 4th 2012.

Jersey Farmers Union School co-ordinator Kevin Hervé added: “The judges will be looking for firm and fresh carrots with a good shape and clean, bright skin with no evidence of pests and disease. This competition is a fantastic way to enable hundreds of students to experience the pleasure of growing their own vegetables and I hope they enjoy the competition.”

Mrs Caroline Urrutia, teacher, First Tower School, commented:
“The Gardening Club at First Tower School really enjoyed planting their carrots for the carrot growing competition with Mr Hervé, from Little Green Fingers. They learnt that they needed to use a dibber to prepare the ground then cover the carrots with mesh so the flies would not spoil them. They have taken turns watering them and are checking to see how they are growing each day.”

Little Green Fingers is an initiative between Bedell and Jersey Famers’ Union to encourage gardening initiatives in Jersey. It was launched in May 2011.

Tags: Bedell, Jersey Farmers' Union, Little Green Fingers initiative, pictures, ‘Schools' Carrot Competition’

Category: Community, Environment