Poppy and Tracie went to Croxteth Park to collect leaves for the seedlings to make Autumn leaf prints. Here are their beautiful creations!
Poppy Collecting Autumn Leaves 
Theo’s Print 
Niamh’s Print
Category: Garden Classroom
From Caterpillar to Butterfly!
In August the Wildlife Rangers asked if they could keep some caterpillars they had found. We talked about what they would need for a habitat and that we had to look after them and once they had turned into butterflies we had to let them free.
Caterpillar 
Cocoon
The first thing the Wildlife Rangers did was look on the internet to how to make the best habitat for the critters, to keep them safe and well. Tracie found a fish tank in the shed which the Rangers cleaned to make into a little habitat.
The Rangers put some gravel, soil and plants into the tank to provide the caterpillars with food. They used an old lid from a coffee jar and filled with water for them to drink.
The caterpillars seemed happy munching away for a few days. The Rangers kept checking the tank every day, they showed the younger Wanderers and Seedlings the tank and told them all about the facts they had found out about the mini beasts.
One day, when the Wildlife Rangers checked on the caterpillars they said they had all gone and asked me if I had let them go? I asked the children to go back and take a good look in the tank. They were delighted to find they had changed into chrysalises. The children kept an eye on the chrysalises every day. In September, the Rangers found one had hatched into a White Butterfly. They were all delighted. Within the week all the butterflies had hatched and were flying around. We decided it was time to set them free.
Googly Eyes 
Stuck on Tracie’s Fingers
Everyone watched as Tracie opened the lid. What happened next we did not imagine, they flew out onto Tracie then flew off on their travels!
Arrival of the Worms
Last month we all set up our new Wormery and sent off a coupon for the worms to be sent to us. It took a few weeks for them to arrive, so while we waited we saved up all our fruit and vegetable peelings for them to eat.
On delivery day, Tracie carefully opened the package and we all peered into the box to see hundreds of very wriggly worms. Ivor and Tracie were the only ones to pick one up carefully. The worm wriggled and tickled!
We all went outside and opened up the Wormery at the bedding tray. Tracie gently poured all the worms in and we carefully closed the tray but quickly, so they wouldn’t escape and to keep them in the dark as they don’t like sunlight.
We all went and washed our hands, then sat down while Tracie read us the story Yucky Worms (by Vivian French) that taught us all about worms.
What a Lovely Day
As it was lovely and warm, we all spent the day outside. We looked around the garden and took photos of our favourite flowers of the week.
We noticed that there were hundreds of caterpillars on our leaves. Unfortunately they had eaten all of our cabbages and nasturtiums. Tracie was not happy.
Cornflower 
Poppy 
Camellia 
Martha and the Caterpillar 
Sunflower 
Agapanthus 
The Gang at the Park
Martha was brave and handled the caterpillars but Ivor screamed when he went to touch one! hahah Poppy and Chloe made a caterpillar home so they could study them and see what happens while they are in there! Watch this space…
Fun in the Trees
We had so much fun in the park today. Chloe was supportive and encouraged Poppy to climb high. When it got to Chloe’s turn she wouldn’t do it, which was strange because Chloe loves climbing!
Climbing the tree gave Poppy lots of confidence and she said she’d like to do more climbing, maybe even go with Chloe to The Climbing Hangar next time!
Our Mini Pond Habitats
This summer the children have been helping us make mini pond habitats around the garden. Our tadpoles have turned into amazing frogs and we keep finding them hopping around the garden in various places trying to get away from our cats.
We decided to make four mini hiding pools for them between the two main ponds. Hopefully they will use them to jump in and hide while going from one pond to the other to see their friends and family.
Chloe’s Cauliflower
This cute little cauliflower has been grown from seed by Chloe. Chloe loves to help us in the garden and best of all, she loves looking for all the wonderful insects and making them a home.
I have set Chloe a challenge this summer, to try the cauliflower when it’s ready!
Baby Pumpkin
Back in early spring the Wonderful Wanderers sowed some pumpkin seeds, which they collected from last year’s crop. The winner of the first to grow goes to Martha, who’s pumpkin is now the size of an egg.
We are looking forward to a bumper crop so that in October we can carve them for Halloween. Tracie will try and persuade everyone to taste a homemade pumpkin pie.
Watch this space to see how we do and find out if anyone was brave enough to try the pie!
Niamh’s Sunflower
This year Niamh won the fastest growing sunflower challenge. It has bloomed just in time for her 2nd birthday!
July in the Garden
During the lockdown, the key worker children have been working extra hard helping Tracie in the garden.
We have grown Beetroot, Cucumbers, Chillies, Mange-tout, Peppers, Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Lettuce, Onions, Cauliflowers, Cabbage, Peas, Garlic, Turmeric, Ginger, Strawberries, Raspberries, Currents, Apples, Cherries, Kiwi and lots of different herbs.
Our new vegetable this year is Cucamelons. These are a cute, little fruit with bags of personality. Originating from Mexico, Cucamelons produce lots of fruit throughout the Summer that taste like cucumber and lime. They are grape size, look like baby watermelons and are supposed to be easy to grow. Watch this space for updates on how we get on growing them.
Tracie's Treasures 