According to a new study, gardening may enhance children's reading, writing and numeric skills.

Children should be encouraged to practice gardening to help their literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills.

It has been reported that researchers surveyed 1,300 teachers and studied 10 schools to examine the impact of gardening on school kids.

Teachers who encouraged children to practice gardening as part of their education said they displayed more independence and were better at solving problems.

The study further claimed that working in school gardens also had an impact on other subjects, including literacy and numeracy.

The Telegraph quoted the report commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society as saying, "Fundamental to the success of school gardens in stimulating a love of learning was their ability to translate sometimes dry academic subjects into practical, real world experiences."

According to the report, "Children were encouraged to get their hands dirty - in every sense. Teachers involved in the research said the result was a more active, inquisitive approach to learning."

It was further added by the report, "The changeable nature of gardening projects, where anything from the weather to plant disease can affect the outcome - forced children to become more flexible and better able to think on their feet and solve problems."

Director of science and learning at the RHS, Dr Simon Thornton Wood said, "As the new coalition Government considers a new approach to the primary curriculum, we hope they acknowledge the striking conclusions of our research and that gardens enable a creative, flexible approach to teaching that has significant benefits."

He further said, "Schools which integrate gardens into the curriculum are developing children who are much more responsive to the challenges of adult life." (With Inputs from Agencies)