garden – Page 9 – Tracie's Treasures

What a Lovely Day

Posted on 6th Aug 20202nd Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

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.

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…

Garden Classroom, rangers

Chloe’s Cauliflower

Posted on 12th Jul 20202nd Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

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!

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Niamh’s Sunflower

Posted on 12th Jul 20202nd Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

This year Niamh won the fastest growing sunflower challenge. It has bloomed just in time for her 2nd birthday!

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

July in the Garden

Posted on 12th Jul 20202nd Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

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.

Garden Classroom, rangers

Who Picked Our Cherries?

Posted on 11th Jul 202012th Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

A few weeks ago, we posted about our two cherries the boys had found growing nicely on our Cherry tree. Today Poppy decided it was time to pick them!

She had found three all together and said as she had picked them its one for me and two for her! What a little madam!! They were quite sour so Tracie was pleased she only got one in the end! Lets hope next year we get more and they are sweeter!

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Helping Our Bees

Posted on 4th May 202012th Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

This afternoon we were playing outside when Georgia screamed “theres a bee” Tracie asked the children to stand back as the bee is poorly and needs a sugary drink. She carefully picked him up with a piece of paper and took him into the kitchen.

Tracie explained to the children that the bee needed some sugar or he may die. We put some sugar and a little water onto a spoon and then we sat back and watched the bee working hard to drink the solution. After a while, the bee flew off and the Seedlings clapped.

Tracie then talked to us about bees and why they are so important for our world. The seedlings were very inquisitive and Tracie had lots of good questions to answer.

Garden Classroom, Seedlings, wanderers

Homemade Plant Labels

Posted on 27th Mar 202012th Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

We have been looking on the internet for labels for our plants. We didn’t like the ones we saw so Tracie decided to make some. First she asked her brother, Jonathan to slice up a big log. Then Tracie sanded them all smooth so they wouldn’t give anyone splinters, and so she could paint on them.

Once they were ready for painting, we all sat around the table and decided which ones we needed making first.

Ivor wanted the tomato one, Martha the Cucumber, Fearne wanted Lavender, Poppy the Garlic and Tracie thought a salad bowl would be good for the raised bed that has everything we love eating as a salad.

As soon as the paint had dried Tracie took them outside and sprayed them all with varnish to protect them from rain. They all looked very good and we cant wait to make more.

Garden Classroom, Seedlings, wanderers

Homemade Potted Herb Fence

Posted on 30th Apr 20195th Feb 2021 by Tracie Dowling

The children loved helping Tracie make this herb fence. First we used the electric screwdriver to put screws in place to hold the pots to our fence. They have moulded holes on the back to make them easy to attach (from IKEA).

We then went over to the cold frame to pick the herbs we wanted to display. We chose Curry Plant, Rosemary, Lavender, Coriander, Chives and Mint. The whole fence was so pretty and fragrant the children spent the day going over and smelling them. We even had a bee visit us.