This week we returned from our Easter Break to find the wonderful path that has been built in the garden by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). It was funded by a Lottery Grant and means that we can walk into the garden much more easily. 
This also means that we can invite guests to visit in future, and classes can come into the garden without getting muddy or falling on the steep bank!
The weather has been very dry and the soil in this raised bed was baked hard - we couldn't dig it to put in potatoes! Instead we watered it, weeded it and started adding manure to try and soften the soil and help it to retain moisture.
We gave the willow seat a good soaking to encourage it to continue sprouting.
There were some casualties in the greenhouse! The cauliflower seedlings got dried up.
The onions fared better thanks to Catriona and family coming in to water things! We need to plant them out as soon as possible!
This week we also planted several varieties of squash sent to us from America (thanks Charles!). They are: Spaghetti, Sweet Dumpling, Golden Nugget, Butternut, Green Acorn and Delicata Squash!! We planted just four of each as they will be large hungry plants; if they all germinate we'll have our hands full!Despite the Royal Wedding on Friday, we were in school so at lunch time Catriona and Charlotte continued to work on the raised bed for the potatoes - well done girls, keep up the good work!! We'd also like to wish William and Catherine all the best for the future!
On Wednesday it was raining this week so we stayed in the shed and sowed a tray of seeds each: two Leek varieties ("Atlanta" and "St. Victor"), carrots ("Nantes 2") and parsnips ("Gladiator F1"). It was brighter on Thursday so we planted out some Fir Apple potatoes in bags. 
Also, three rhubarb crowns arrived in the post so we planted each one into its own tyre straight away.
Blue Belles (above)- see the blue eyes where the shoots will come from?
You can see how elongated our Fir Apple potatoes are compared to the Peach Blooms in the top right of the box. Mr Hadric said the Peach Blooms would do better in bags than the Fir Apple potatoes, so we will keep the ones we have left for the border instead.
(see the white smiles against the red potatoes?!)
We will cut the carpet to fit each raised bed and use them next winter to prevent weeds and protect the soil. Arran (aged 3) enjoyed watering in the greenhouse - I think he'll be a keen DiGGer in future!!
As it was the last day of term, we met on Friday too. We checked the greenhouse, did last minute watering and fixed the hinge on the shed door that had come loose!
These are the labels that Danielle drew last week - adding a touch of art to the greenhouse!
On Wednesday this week we planted more peas and beans into our paper pots. This will give us successional crops later in the year. Our previous ones are now showing shoots in the greenhouse. We also sowed some cauliflower seeds and Danielle drew great pictures on the label sticks (picture to follow later!) 
On Thursday, Miss Swallow collected some more soil for the willow seat. Unfortunately by lunch time, it was raining so having the full waterproofs, she had the pleasure of tipping it into the seat whilst the others had lunch in the shed! 
