Young Scouts take on eco gardening project with nursery support

Beaver and Cub Scouts are getting hands-on with gardening through an eco-friendly project.

The six to ten-year-olds from First Hassocks Scouts are growing plants in homemade “greenhouses” crafted from recycled fizzy drink bottles and disposable drink kegs, with support from family-run South Downs Nurseries.

The Brighton Road store donated eight bags of compost and four bags of gardening grit to launch the project.

Benjamin Tate, executive director of South Downs Nurseries, said: “It is wonderful to be able to give a boost to this venture and encourage the Cubs to become involved in gardening at an early age.

“Supporting community projects is so important to a family company such as ours.

“I grew up in Hassocks and know how important groups such as the Scouts are to village life.”

Seeds have now been planted, and the young members will care for the plants at home until they are ready to be transplanted.