A Burnaby business is hoping to cultivate some green thumbs with its second annual growing gardeners contest.
Tried and True, a division of Meadowlands Horticultural Inc. based in Burnaby, is inviting schools to take part in a contest it hopes will get more kids interested in gardening.
“We always found that gardening was such a great activity and there are countless studies done on the health benefits of gardening,” said Jenessa Tan, spokesperson for Tried and True.
Tan herself started gardening about six years ago, when she was still in university. It’s a skill everyone should have, she said.
“It’s definitely been a life-changing experience; putting in that much work and getting so much in return, it’s just been great,” she added.
Last year, Tan and her colleagues came up with a contest to promote gardening to the next generation. To win, students had to submit a poster or work of art illustrating the chosen theme. Last year’s theme was “what gardening means to us.” Ten schools entered and three won a prize pack, which includes edible and ornamental starter plants.
This year, schools must put together a poster depicting what their fantasy dream garden would look like. The sky’s the limit, Tan said, in terms of what students can submit.
Up for grabs this year are five prize packs valued at $200 each to help the winning schools get their own garden up and running. The deadline to apply is March 17, and winners are expected to be announced around April 3.
The Tried and True growing gardeners contest is open to all schools in the Lower Mainland. Go to www.tried-and-true.com/contest for details.
