GARDEN fever hit Haslemere in the run-up to Chelsea Flower Show, when TV gardener and RHS Ambassador Alan Titchmarsh hosted his annual ‘Grow For It’ at The Royal School, last Saturday.

The popular free event he launched six years ago to encourage children to connect with nature, is supported by Waitrose and attracted a record attendance this year of more than 600 youngsters aged under 11 taking part in a wide range of activities in the school grounds, including sowing micro leaves, painting a rock bug, pond dipping, following nature trails, making a bird nibble ring and planting a pot to take home.

The Royal School has a special connection for Britain’s best-known horticulturalist, because his two daughters are both former pupils.

He is currently filming the next series of Love Your Garden, which airs on ITV, in June.

“I want to open children’s eyes to the wonder of nature in a fun and engaging way,” he said of Grow For It. “The aim of the event is to help children develop an understanding of and respect for our living world and to foster a desire to help protect our environment.

“Every day I am motivated and inspired by nature and if you engage children early on then this sense of wonder is with them for life.

“Small things make a difference. For example, if you make a pond you will have pond skaters there within hours.

“Garden ponds are now a major stronghold for the common frog. The power of gardening and gardeners should not be underestimated.”

Those attending were encouraged to do their bit to promote gardening so that “each little patch joins to make a huge quilt”.

The benefits of gardening for butterflies and Butterfly Conservation’s Pots for Pollinators campaign were also emphasised.

The day culminated in a question and answer session in which the high-profile host was bombarded with queries from enthusiastic young gardeners, ranging from the best place to grow a watermelon to how soon can you eat green beans if you plant them now.