But when the children are keen, in fact they have found something they could happily do all day, it should be happy days for their educator.

Unfortunately for Mr Isaacs at Wingham Public School, he has students lined up to turn the school gardens into something to rival the Sydney Botanical Gardens but no adults to assist them.

His recent call out for some grown up green thumbs fell on deaf ears.

“We had a couple of definite maybes,” he said of the only responses to his ad in the school newsletter for willing volunteer gardeners.

The children are poised ready to plant seedlings supplied by Bunnings, with tools also supplied by the giant store. All the beds are prepared, even the compost bins are lined up and ready for duty.

“The teachers have been too busy,” admits Darren (Mr Isaacs).

Last year’s vegie patch at the school was the talk of the town and was abundant with produce.

This year it sits barren.

“If someone would be willing to spend time with the students we could freshen up our gardens.” 

Gardening not only gets the children out in the fresh air, getting their hands dirty, but they are also learning to take care of something. 

And then there is the incidental learning. Such as calculating how much soil they need to fill a garden bed and measuring the distance between seeds.

“This sort of thing becomes a lesson,” said Darren.

“The children love it.”

Anyone with time on their hands, who would enjoy spending time with some small gardeners, can call Darren Isaacs at Wingham Public School on 6553 4186 for further information.

Just one hour a week could make all the difference.