Young primary students were crestfallen earlier this week to find more than 60 plants they won in a garden makeover were stolen during school holidays.

Principal Mary-Anne Rooney said the Grade 2 and 3 students won the plants - including 20 trees donated by Bunnings - in the School Yard Blitz competition, with a submission they wrote on why the primary school’s gardens should be renovated.

“The kids were really cross and confused, and wondered why anybody would take something they won, but they are undaunted and keen to keep working at it,’’ she said.

Last night they were putting their best foot forward in being the first school in Bendigo to launch a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen garden.

In more good news for the school’s green thumbs, their gardens have also been shortlisted for the best state school gardens in their category.

Despite the theft, which occurred sometime between August 19 and 29, Ms Rooney said the energy and enthusiasm of the children from Grade 2 to 6 for the project was unabated.

“Thankfully we now have a big high fence around the Kitchen garden, but it is a pity we have to,’’ she said.