Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins shared his trade secrets with a group of star-struck schoolchildren at Edwalton Primary School on Friday December 12.
The celebrity gardener, who has also appeared on Gardener's World, Turf Wars and This Morning, was impressed with the school, in Wellin Lane – saying it was one of the best he had ever seen.
He said: "I've been to around 220 schools and this is one of the better ones, it really is right up there.
"You can see how proactive the kids are and hopefully there's a few budding gardeners amongst them as well."
Chris, who was helping the school's young gardeners plant up a range of soft fruit bushes on their organic plot, told the Post he was taken aback by the on-site farm, complete with two North Siberian pigs, chickens and a goat.
He said: "I must say I was surprised by the goat, that's a first for me at a school. I took a selfie with it so my wife might be a bit jealous."
The school was chosen by the Foodshare charity to pilot a new community garden programme which aims to get schools growing and donating food to the most vulnerable people in the community -the programme will be part of the curriculum for the next two years.
Chris said: "It important the kids know where their food if coming from especially in this age where to a large degree we have it so easy, it's good for them to see that it has come from plant to plate.
"And you know what? Ten years I have been doing this and not once has a kid said me they aren't interested in it, they all are."
The schoolchildren admitted to feeling a bit star-struck by their special guests as they queued patiently to get his autograph.
Pupil Chloe, 11, said: "I'm going to put his signature in a golden frame on my wall and keep it forever, it is so exciting meeting a celebrity gardener and be able to show-off all our hard work."
Before the young gardeners had a chance to show-off the fruits of their six-months of hard work to Chris, they took part in a special assembly where they gave a presentation about Foodshare.
The Foodshare flagship garden was set up in the summer and features a polytunnel, raised beds, a shed, rainwater harvesting system, irrigation and a wide range of salad leaves and winter vegetables.
Community Manager at Morrisons, who are supporting the Foodshare garden, David Hewitt, said: "This project is phenomenal and all the children should be incredible proud of themselves."
