Harvest Festival teaches children about plants

By Yixiang Zeng

Harrow children enjoyed a scarecrow hunt and a colouring competition at a local garden centre during the weekend.

The event, held at Harrow Garden Centre in Headstone Lane, was part of a Harvest Festival set up teach children more about plants and offer families tips on growing fruit and vegetables.

Children were encouraged to colour in pictures with a harvest-theme and find six scarecrows hiding inside and around the garden centre.

10-year-old Libby, was among the many children who enjoyed the activities, she said: “I thought it was quite a good idea, and I thought colouring and finding scarecrows are quite fun.”

Also taking part in the event was 6-year-old Laura, who added: “We decide what we’re going to do with the picture, like if we want to put stickers on it.”

Laura’s mum Maggie Sharrock told The HA1: “It’s important for children to understand the season, to understand how to grow plants.

“They prefer to enter the scarecrow hunt, if they win they can get a pack of seeds, like sunflower or daffodil, so they can understand how the plants grow.”

Mike Townend, manager of the garden centre, explained why it was important to organise activities for the children, saying: “It’s very important to connect our business with local community.

“Children are our customers’ future, so they are very important. It’s nice for children to have some activities while their parents are buying things.”

The 20 entries for the competition will be judged by the centre’s visitors this week and all three winners will be rewarded with arts and crafts products.