Tracie Dowling

Earth Day with the Seedlings

Posted on 22nd Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

We had a lovely celebration today for Earth Day. The children started the activities by wanting to sing ‘Happy Birthday World!’

The first activity we did was to walk around the front garden. We saw lots and lots of ladybirds, beetles, ants and chaffinches singing in the tree next door.

Emma and the children finished their ‘World’ project. When Tracie asked Georgia what her work was all about she said “I’m wishing, I’m wishing for a country because I want to go for an adventure!” Sophie shouted she liked “the happy world” and Fearne joined in saying “rubbish makes the world sad.”

We asked what makes us enjoy our world? Georgia said “When we recycle, it makes our world happy.” Fearne said she puts her rubbish in the bin and she loves the flowers that grow in our garden.

Tracie asked Alfie what makes the world happy? “Biscuit” shouted Alfie. Tracie said that would make Alfie happy! We finished the session singing “Happy Birthday World” and If You’re Happy And You Know It.

Garden Classroom, Uncategorized

Strawberry Potting On with the Seedlings

Posted on 21st Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Today the seedlings and Tracie went over to the greenhouse to check on their strawberry seeds.

Georgia said she thought there will be loads of strawberries all ready to eat! Tracie said it was too early in the year for strawberry picking, we just want strong healthy plants at the moment.

We opened the door and peaked in, Georgia huffed, “No strawberries in here!”

Tracie took a tray from the side and showed everyone. These are the seedlings we sowed and they have all grown really well, in fact, so well we need to re-pot them so they can get bigger!

Tracie explained to a disappointed Georgia and Sophie that the plants need to grow big and strong. When it’s June and we have lovely hot weather little white flowers will appear, then the strawberry fruit will soon be here.

Tracie took the trays of strawberry plants over to the table where she had prepared soil, toilet roll inserts, scissors and gardening tools ready for repotting the growing plants.

First the seedlings cut each toilet roll inserts into 3 pieces. Then they carefully placed them all into a tray. The seedlings took turns to fill each roll with soil.

Using a fork tool, Tracie carefully moved each seedling into a roll. The Seedlings took turns to gently push them down into the soil.

The plants now have little individual pots to give them space to grow.

All the seedlings worked hard together as a team to re-pot them and are really looking forward to the summer when we can all eat strawberries for afternoon tea. Maybe a game of tennis too!!

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Liverpool Kindness Rocks: Stanley Park

Posted on 20th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Today Emma and the seedlings went on a mission to find some more Kindness Rocks as they were very disappointed last week when they didn’t find any at all!

The children hunted everywhere, behind, under, next too and near various different places the could be hidden.

Georgia was the first to find one, it was small and colourful. She got so excited and told Tracie it was found at the bottom of a tree.

Fearne found the biggest one! It was a grey stone and was hidden inside the railings near the duck pond.

The next three where very hard to find. They were all inside different clusters of bushes. The children had to crouch down and look between the trunks and sticks.

The ice cream stone was found in the rose garden, it was the easiest to spot! The children have all hidden them around Stanley park ready for someone else to go hunting and find them.

Let us know if you find them!

Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings

Soft Play Fun

Posted on 16th Apr 202124th Apr 2021 by Tracie Dowling

This week, all the children have loved the soft play area. Even the Wanderers and Rangers have used them.

Emma and the Seedlings used the soft play area to practice counting and looked around for different shapes.

Molly buried Jack underneath the blocks to make a grave!

Martie made Tracie’s heart jump when trying to go down the steps head first!

Chloe, Leo and Molly made a big aeroplane. Leo was the pilot and took the girls on holiday. Tracie asked if he could fly her to Madeira so she could enjoy the hot weather, Chloe said she wants to go with her so she could go swimming.

Martha used the blocks to make a barricade as she didn’t want to go home! We love the blocks as we can make up so many different activities and role play games.

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Garden Challenge 2021: Tracie’s Garden Update

Posted on 16th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

The Seedlings have been so busy this month in the garden. We have enjoyed the lovely bright days even though its been cold.

Sophie helped Tracie to plant a cherry tomato plant. We have been watching it grow from a tiny seed that we sowed last month. We have put a tall cane next to the plant so when it grows tall we can use it for support.

Fearne made sure the tomato plant had plenty of water to help it grow. Fearne asked Tracie for a drink as she wants to grow up bigger!

While we were weeding and tidying up the front garden, Georgia noticed that the potatoes had started growing. Fearne said “they’re not potatoes!” Tracie explained they are potatoes and that the plant grows big and strong, feeding the potatoes growing underneath.

Alfie didn’t want to help plant the vegetables he just wanted to sit and watch! The cheeky monkey! We planted our beans around a wigwam made out of canes, we then added netting around it to support the plants to climb up.

We have decided to plant our vegetables in between the flowers this year as we have so many strong plants. We cant wait to see them grow and make some cauliflower cheese nom, nom!

family, Garden Classroom

Garden Challenge 2021: Gemma’s April Garden Update

Posted on 14th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

It’s been all go go go in Gemma’s garden so far this Spring! There have been some fantastic growing under UV lights which have helped to speed up the growing process.

Gemma has prepared her three vegetable beds ready to plant out all her seedlings.

Gemma’s seeds have grown so well and are lovely and strong. Now all she needs to do is plant them out and keep watering daily.

The beds are all planted up now, there are carrots, radish, pak choi, beetroots, spring onion and peas which are growing up the canes.

Jack has enjoyed sitting in the fresh air watching his mummy garden. I bet he is thinking ideas for when he can have his own patch!

family, Garden Classroom

Garden Challenge 2021: Phyllis April Update

Posted on 14th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Phyllis has definitely been working hard in her garden since we last visited her.

The little pool Phyllis made out of an old wheelbarrow for the birds and insects is now a haven for them. She has planted pond flowers, plants and a frog which is a fun addition.

Phyllis has worked hard in the front garden to provide the birds with quiet areas to feed and nest safely. There have been loads of bumble bees seen getting the nectar from the flowers.

In the greenhouse there are loads of seeds growing well. Phyllis has taken lots of cuttings from different plants in her garden to make more for free! Everything will need to be planted out soon.

This is Tracie’s favourite picture of Phyllis’ garden. Everything is lush and growing well and it’s all proof Spring is definitely here.

Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Spring is here!

Posted on 9th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

This Easter holidays have flown by so fast. The Seedlings, Wanderers and Rangers have all been so busy in the garden and their efforts are paying off with an abundance of seedlings growing strong.

On the first shelf in our greenhouse we have Marigolds growing, we will be planting them between the tomatoes, Chillies and Cucumbers to help fight away the aphids, this is called companion planting. We do this instead of using pesticides which is better for the environment. The Wanderers are growing Pak Choi, radish, cauliflower and sweetpeas.

On the second shelf we have used toilet rolls as pots, filled them with peat-free compost and sown peas, swede, beetroot and spring onions.

The Little Seedlings helped Tracie to sow the Phlox seeds, Alfie tried so hard to pick a seed up from Tracie’s hand using his pincer grip, but the seeds were just too small. Tracie gave Alfie the packet to sprinkle over the toilet roll pots. I’m sure they will set seed soon and we will thin them out individually if over crowded.

The middle shelf has tomatoes and pansies growing well. We made sure they all have plenty of water and tomato feed to help produce strong stems.

The top shelf is bursting with Chillies, sweet peppers, chives and lavender. Jacy from the Rangers has the strongest tomato plant growing, the Bisto pot is still going strong!!

Last week, Georgia helped to sow the onion sets. This week she noticed they had grown, she asked if she could sow some more. Tracie asked Georgia to help prepare the soil for the seeds, Georgia got stuck in by raking the soil.

Jack came over and asked if he could help, Tracie gave Jack baby sweetcorn and carrots to sow. He then helped to cover the raised bed with mesh, this is because the birds keep attacking the onion sets and seeds.

wanderers

Easter Holidays with the Rangers and Wanderers

Posted on 8th Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

The Rangers and Wanderers have been pretty busy this Easter holidays. They have been out and about visiting different parks on the bus, bike, car and walking.

The weather has been different every day! Its been hot, cold, wet, windy, sleeted and snowed all in the two week break!

The older children have enjoyed the outdoors the most, they have climbed trees, made dens and been on a hunt for #liverpoolkindnessrocks

Mason and Tracie put together a wood burner so we could toast marshmallows.

The children all loved eating the warm fluffy mallows, Jacy said they tasted warm and crunchy. Jack wanted more and Emma put the ‘seedlings’ Mallows in the middle of two biscuits to make it easier for them to eat!

We have all enjoyed having Martha and Ivor come for a couple of days. They have both grown up so much and they loved seeing their old friends. Tracie has been looking after them since they were born and they are both part of our treasure family.

Martha and Ivor asked where Niamh was? We explained she has moved back to Ireland, they were upset so we sent her a photo to say hello.

Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings, Uncategorized, wanderers

Finding #liverpoolkindnessrocks

Posted on 1st Apr 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Today we have all been on a trip to Croxteth Park Hall and joined in the ‘Liverpool Kindness Rocks’ challenge. We had to look high and low for painted rocks hidden around our parks.

Some stones have been placed with paint for you to take home and decorate yourself. Once decorated you then hide them in a different park. I wonder who will find the most, seedlings, rangers or wanderers?

Everyone said Emma would win! We were all right, she found not one but two! A lovely shiny leaf and a ‘Thank You NHS’, they were both in a tree stump.

Jacy found the next one, he remembered he had seen something a week ago when he was in the park with his mum. He didn’t go and investigate it then, but he went over to the place he thought he had seen it and it was was still there! One to the Rangers!

Georgia from the Seedlings found this beautiful ladybird rock near the playground, one to the Seedlings!

Georgia loved the shine on the ladybird and said it was really smooth and pretty.

We Left These Stones For Someone to Find

Where’s This One We Hid? Good Luck Finding it!

Rocks We Found at Walton Hall and Hid in Croxteth Park

It was soon time for lunch and we all sat next to the park and the older children went on the exercise equipment and worked up a hunger so came back and had lunch.

The Rangers loved climbing the trees and getting stuck, luckily they were able to help each other to get over and off them. They worked well together and made treehouses.