Schools dig deep to create gardens

NELSON Mandela Bay pupils got their hands dirty last week during a "Build Your Own Recycled Garden" competition. In an effort to create awareness on the importance of sustainability, Builders Warehouse Port Elizabeth hosted the competition in a visible space between the entrance and exit of the store.

Benefiting from the event were primary schools Dr Viljoen, Westering, Brylin, Kabega, Herbert Hurd and The ZC Motherwell Enviroclub.

Participating schools were given pallets, compost, potting soil, seedlings, wood, gutters, clear tubing, nails and a hammer while also being encouraged to bring along their own recycled material to use for their gardens.

Groups of up to five pupils were allowed to build their garden which was then judged according to general appearance, functionality, initiative and team spirit.

"I am very pleased with the outcome of the event, I did not expect it to go so well. We will definitely be doing this again, and next time it will be even bigger," Builders Warehouse replenishment manager Rob van Rooyen said.

Van Rooyen said the schools performed well and surprised everyone with their out of the box thinking – from vertical gardening to using old school shoes as pots for flowers.

"As for team spirit, Builders' customers were blown away by the ZC Motherwell Enviroclub who opened the event with song and dance while Brylin and Kabega Primary pupils had no problem singing for the public," he said.

Dr Viljoen scooped up first place, walking away with a floating trophy and a R1000 Builders Warehouse voucher while The ZC Motherwell Enviroclub came in second and won a R500 voucher. In third place, winning two green recycling bins, was Kabega Primary. The ZC Motherwell Enviroclub coordinator Patricia Ntabeni said the competition was tough and not what they expected.

"We did not know that we were required to build our very own garden until we got to the event. The pupils were excited and our garden was a success. We're hoping to start a nursery with the voucher we received," she said.

Herbet Hurd, Brylin and Westering were all rewarded with Ryobi power tools and in addition to the sponsored prizes, schools could also keep their gardens to display at their school.

Dr Viljoen Primary decided to auction their garden off and got R1500 for it. - Chanice Koopman