Another busy week, with many pupils gardening at the Academy.
On Tuesday, a group of first year pupils - three elected from each history class due to their enthusiasm for the subject - gathered in our new orchard garden. Their mission was to sow poppy seeds to remember the fallen from World War I. The seeds were provided by the
Royal British Legion as part of their national campaign to commemorate the lives of those lost 100 years ago.
Before sowing the seed, the ground needed weeding a little.
They also raked the soil to break up any lumps and ensure even germination.
The packs of seeds were opened...
...and mixed with sand so that everyone could sow a handful and to space the seed out more.
Everyone sowed the seed...
...then they were watered. This will ensure the seeds are in contact with the soil and moist to start the germination process.
Later that day, Mr Shearon came to visit our garden to see what was growing and how everything is set up. He is planning a garden at Grantown Grammer School and hopes to teach our Growing Hub Award there which is great news. Danielle showed him round the garden whilst Miss Swallow was busy teaching.
On Wednesday, DiGGers were introduced to the Growing Hub Award and we looked through the list to see what we could "tick off" already. They will be learning new tasks, visiting another garden and sharing what they learn with others in order to gain level 2 or 3 in the award.
On Thursday, the Forest School group stayed in school and planted another apple tree in the fruit orchard.
Danielle and Ryan lifting the turf.
Meanwhile Dale cuts down the tree protectors to allow the leaves to photosynthesise better!
Dale and Ryan digging out the soil...
...we put well rotted horse manure into the bottom of the hole and forked it in to help enrich the soil to feed the tree this summer.
After planting the tree, we put the turf back upside down - again, this will rot and feed the tree. We then filled in any gaps and air spaces with the good top soil we had lifted.
Ta-da! Job done.
On Thursday, DiGGers had lots to do. Before we started, Rhiannon shared out cake her mother had made. It was absolutely delicious with an tangy orange sweet taste! Thanks to Rhiannon's mum!
We did some energetic weeding after the cake. We need to clear the raised beds ready for our plug plants.
We found lots of bugs and grubs in the soil and of course lots of wriggly worms.
Our RHS level 3 prize of a "large vegetable garden" arrived at the end of the day on Thursday.
There are lots of plug plants - lettuce here, packed in straw in a cardboard box.
Leeks...
...peas and runner beans...
...beetroot, rocket, courgettes.. and more!
Miss Swallow unpacked the box and left them soaking up water for the weekend until we can start planting them out next week. The Interdisciplinary gardening classes start up again next week luckily, so between us all, we should be able to get them planted out.
No comments:
Post a Comment