CHILDREN got their hands dirty at a garden centre when they planted their own vegetables.

Visitors learned how to plant, grow and look after vegetables and seeds at the event at Dummer Garden Centre and were able to take home their planted pots, which included marrow, cress and French beans.

The free sessions were aimed at encouraging children to grow their own vegetables by getting them interested at a young age.

Veronica Loosemore, deputy manager at the garden centre in Winchester Road, Basingstoke, said: “We are engaging kids and getting them involved. It’s been quite a success and they are all very interested, especially in getting their hands dirty!

“It’s all about trying to get them interested in gardening and growing their own vegetables. You don’t need a lot of outside space to do this – many things can go in pots, such as tomatoes and strawberries. You can get raised beds down to the size of a metre.

“Anyone interested in growing vegetables should try lettuces to start with as they are very easy to look after and always lead to success with growing.”