The organisers of the 2020 Ag Show have donated a series of small gardens to schools and other organisations around the island.

The gardens, once planted, will be eligible to compete in the annual exhibition this April.

Antwan Albouy, the exhibition’s director, said: “AG Show Ltd made the decision to provide completed 2x2 square foot gardens to various schools, special needs organisations and senior homes in time for them to grow their own produce and participate in the 2020 exhibition.”

Mr Albouy added: “We will have the gardens built and provide potting mix and seeds/seedlings so they have everything they need.

“Additionally, AG Show Ltd will provide a truck to pick up the completed gardens and deliver them to the Botanical Gardens on April 20.”

Mr Albouy said more than 30 gardens had been donated with the support of hardware store Gorham’s, Aberfeldy Nurseries, Decosta’s Unique Carpentry and Joe Vieira Trucking. He added that the number of requests for mini-gardens had rocketed after a publicity drive.

Mr Albouy said: “We usually receive between four to six square foot garden exhibits each year.

“However, due to our square foot garden outreach programme in 2020, AG Show Ltd has received 32 requests for the gardens. That’s a remarkable increase in entries.”

The Ag Show also added a new category so seniors can take part. The mini garden competition is one of several that can earn points for schools in the Education Awards Programme — which offers $15,000 in prize money donated by insurance and reinsurance firm Axis.