Penryn College students swap the classroom for polytunnels

Pupils from secondary school Penryn College recently spent a day getting the lowdown on organic veg growing and plant identification at Budock Vean Hotel.

The day, led by the hotel’s Head Gardener Danny Konik and Liam Prynn SEMH Activities Co-Ordinator from the college, saw the pupils gather skills, knowledge and plants ready to take back to the school’s polytunnels.

The session started in the kitchen garden where different types of flowers and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and pumpkin are grown for the hotel’s Helford Restaurant. The pupils learnt what organic growing means, got some tips on how to care for crops and how to safely keep pests away … and tried some edible flowers, before moving onto practical tasks.

“We asked the students to create a set of new decorative planters for the hotel’s self-catering properties. We provided a brief of what was needed and some tips and they created some really lovely work which our guests will be enjoying this summer.” Danny

Planting work didn’t stop with the tubs as the students also re-potted seedlings and got busy watering before heading down through the gardens to the Helford River, plant spotting along the way.

“Danny was brilliant and excellent at sharing his knowledge. Our students left armed with lots of new information and tips which they’re already putting it into action back in the school’s polytunnel.” Liam