The children are loving the bright Daffodils in the park and our garden at the moment.
Our Daffodils
We have been reading the Poem by William Wordsworth about the lively dancing Daffodils, we decided to make beautiful pictures of them for a display to brighten up out playroom.
William Wordsworth Poem
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
The poem is about being one who is close to nature and enjoys in its company and never feel sad or lonely. Nature is the greatest gift or blessing to mankind. It has the power to heal our miseries, learn and make us lively again.
We’ll finally after wanting one for years we have a Green house! Whoop Whoop
However it was not easy to put together. Gemma came around to help, it took us three days of total frustration to get it together.
We had to start with the base, we soon found out we needed a wooden base for the metal one to sit on!
We tried hard to follow the instructions but they didn’t make sense! we finally got the sides up then found the window fixers wouldn’t fit!
We had to take everything apart and start again making sure the ridge was on the outside for the glass.
When we finally got it up (Chloe helped too!) we realised it wasn’t suitable for the area we had erected it, so had to take it down and then put it up AGAIN!
Finally its in place and is full of growing plants.
Today with the Wonderers, we set up our Hydroponic System to start growing our Fruit and vegetables using air and water rather than soil.
First of all we discussed how we grow our plants. Mason said he remembers sowing the seeds last year in modular trays and soil. Chloe explained her mum uses coco coir at home to grow house plants.
Alfie said he grows his in the garden using the dirt and wiggly worms.
Unpacking The System Working Out How To Put It Together Slotting In Place The Pump And Light Stick
I explained to the group all about hydroponics and how it actually works. We started by opening the box to see what was inside. As soon as Alfie saw all the bits he was off to play, Mason said he wanted to plant the seeds but not read the instructions with us, so he went off to play too! Chloe was a superstar and read out the instructions, we then started to build the system so it was ready to sow the seeds.
Placing The Module TrayThe Lights NextMain Set Up DoneLights and Pump Working
We followed the instructions very carefully and managed to attach the pump, light arm, lights and base together.
Electric PlugSetting The Timer
Next steps where to fit the electric cable and plug it in. Chloe carefully pressed the switch and the lights and pump turned on. Wow it was very bright and I told the children not to look at them, guess what they did, looked at them.
There were a few instructions to read to explain the buttons on the top of the unit. The buttons turned on the lights and enables you to adjust the brightness, set the time for 16hrs a day and off for rest periods.
The Domes Fertiliser’s
We were now ready to fill the system, we started by mixing the two types of fertiliser A and B together to make up a litre of solution. We then carefully poured the solution into the unit and the pump kicked in making a bubbling noise.
Because Chloe had helped to set the system up I let her choose the first two seeds to sow, she chose Chilli Peppers and Water Lily seeds. She carefully put them into the hole which was already in the centre of the Medium provided with the system.
Mason Chose Peppers and Tomatoes Chloe Sowing Her SeedsMason Helping AlfieChloe Looking At It All Set UpAll Finished And Lets Hope It Works!
Mason chose Sweet Peppers and Hanging Tomatoes, Alfie wanted to grow herbs and lettuce. We also added Cabbages, Broccoli, Onion and Cauliflower.
Chloe put the little domes onto each seed box, this will keep the moisture and heat inside which will help germinate the seeds quicker.
Now we need to check them everyday and make notes on what grows first, how long it takes to grow, how big it grows and any other useful information we want to document.
We will be adding to the blog and letting you know how it works, so watch this space….
We have had ups and downs during this year with our gardens. Here is a round up of how Phyllis’ gardening went..
Growing in Pots Door Step PlantingFrank’s WellHomemade Planter
These pictures are from Phyllis’ front garden, it gets full sun most of the day. The lovely well planter was made by Frank, he has hung bird feeders and hidden bird boxes in the roof. He also made the wooden tiered planter where the vegetables are growing for their yummy, fresh Christmas dinner.
Front GardenChristmas Dinner
Phyllis had a bumper crop of fruit and vegetables this year, here are a few pictures to show how well she did!
What a CropCarrotsBeetrootPeppersTomatoes Potatoes Netting From Pests New Raised BedsGrowing SeedlingsBeautiful Baby Cucumber Butternut Squash Chillies
It’s been a hard year and being in the garden has given Phyllis a project which she has thoroughly enjoyed. Next year Phyllis is going to focus on flowers, including a wildflower patch to encourage wildlife.
Leaves Turning RedFuchsia Canopy of ClimbersGrowing Well
No better way to prove how amazing it is to grow your own, a delicious fresh Sunday lunch! Where’s mine?
Back in April the Seedlings sowed pumpkin seeds in the vegetable plot hoping they would grow big for Halloween.
We had bought large pumpkins from the local supermarket last year and kept the seeds, dried them out and stored them in a paper bag to grow for this year. We hoped they would grow big and strong.
Pumpkin FlowerBaby Pumpkin
Unfortunately, our pumpkins haven’t grown as much as we hoped for yet so the Seedlings went to the shop and bought one for our activity.
First the Seedlings looked at the ones growing in the garden, they were way too small, green and some still had the flower on.
Martie Alfie
Next we looked at the shop brought pumpkin and Tracie cut it in half for the Seedlings to investigate.
They touched the skin and thought it was cold and hard. When the Seedlings were asked to touch the centre, two of the children said ‘yucky don’t want too’ but Martie prodded it with her finger and smelled it, she wasn’t impressed.
Leaf PrintingCharlie Concentrating Happy With Picture
Earlier, while out in the garden the seedlings picked some pumpkin leaves, for the activity they used green paint to make prints of the leaves onto paper.
Tracie cut the pumpkin in half and put it into some orange paint, the seedings swished the pumpkin to make sure it was covered in paint then used it like a stamper onto the prints of the leaves.
The seedlings made lovely pictures of the growing pumpkins in the garden. Alfie squished his pumpkin and the orange paint, mixed with the green to make an abstract painting.
The Finished Prints
The Seedlings loved the activity and we have displayed them in the front play room.
Over the summer holidays Poppy went to Grandad Smith and Nanny Rosie’s to see how their wildlife garden and beekeeping were coming along.
Buddleia and a Butterfly Nanny Rose, Trixi and PoppyBird HousesGiant asunflower
Poppy’s sister Chelsea came along for the trip, she loved learning all about the wildlife and the bees in her grandad’s garden. We all talked about nature, looked at the bird houses and saw some footage of the baby birds learning to eat while still in the bird box via a webcam. Never too old to learn!
We brought along some tadpoles from our pond in Liverpool and set them free in Grandad’s pond, hopefully he will have some frogs next time we visit. Do you think they will croak in a scouse accent?
We sat and watched the tadpoles swimming around settling in their new environment. While we were watching them we saw dragonflies, water fleas, snails, hoverflies and lots of beautiful butterflies.
Growing CucumbersExtra Long Baby Cucumbers Cabbages
We looked around Grandad’s vegetable garden, he has grown lots of lovely vegetables and fruit this year. Poppy went hunting and found cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes and lemons in the greenhouse.
LeeksLettuce BeetrootBeansSweetcorn Allotment
In the main garden we saw Sweetcorn, Beetroots, Green Beans, Cabbage, leeks, strawberries and lots of Raspberries.
Poppy picked so many Raspberries we had them for tea, snack and breakfast!
When Sophie and I walked around the garden, I asked her to pick out her favourite fruit and vegetables we are growing. Well, she chose these lovely Lilies. Not quite what I asked for but she’s right they are lovely.
Orange LilyWhite Lilies
While we are talking Lilies, look at our amazing 8 foot Lily trees. They tower so high and they are so fragrant you can smell them all around the garden.
Back to our fruit and vegetables, below is our cucumber and we have grown conjoined twins! Double the trouble and size! Poppy ate it in one sitting!! She said they were delicious.
Our apples are coming on nicely, they are getting plumper, Monty Don says you can tell when they are ready as they twist off easily. Guess we’ve got to keep waiting. Be worth it though. We also have onions, tomatoes and strawberries growing strong.
ApplesOnionsTomatoes Strawberries
In the greenhouse the Luffa vines are growing tall and strong. When they fruit the children are going to make luffa soaps.
Luffa
The Cucumbers and Chillies have now left the greenhouse and are in the garden growing strong. Tracie watered everything and added tomato feed to give them a boost.
Our new project this summer is the bath pond. We had our bathroom turned into a wet room and thought the cast iron bath could be up cycled into a large pond. Our growing tadpoles and frogs will have more space and we might even get some fish! We will add photos next time.
Phyllis has been busy collecting her fruits and vegetables that she started growing earlier in the year.
BeetrootPepper
Phyllis has grown some lovely beetroot which is Tracie’s favourite. They are tasty in a salad or as a compliment in a comforting Scouse. The peppers in the greenhouse are looking good! Chloe loves to munch on these for a healthy snack.
Tomatoes Pumpkin
At the moment the tomatoes are still green, but by next week with a lot of sunny weather, they will soon turn red and be ready to eat with the beetroot in a summer salad!
CarrotsAmazing
The carrots are looking fabulous watch out for any rabbits Phyllis this is their favourite snack!
As you can see, Phyllis has a vast variety of fruits and vegetables growing. Looks like all her time in the garden has paid off.
We have been walking, playing and having picnics everywhere!
I See You! Carpet PlayReadingEmma and Jack
We enjoyed spending time at home with the sensory toys, practicing our walking skills and reading stories.
We all chose to have glittery tattoos done at the Liverpool Lighthouse. We then had a fun afternoon dancing and singing.
We even took part in an fire evacuation practice, we didn’t want anyone to know it was our smoke machine in the disco that set the alarm off! Ssshh don’t tell anyone!! At least we got to practice an evacuation!
Fire Evacuation: Too Marks We Are All Safe! Well Done JackCharlie and Jack
Jack stood up all by himself and the boys went rambling up the hill all by themselves!
ChloeGemma and JackGemma and ChlieFunny Face
We went to Cirq d-Play in Great Homer Street. Chloe loved the tube slide the best, her mum wanted to have a go too! Looks like you both enjoyed the experience, lovely face Gemma! Hahaha
Gemma Coco and JackPoppy
Jack enjoyed the baby slide and everyone wanted to have a go with him.
ChloePoppy and Gemma Coco Poppy
Poppy found the way up to the slide very challenging, Gemma and Chloe both encouraged her to have a try. It took about four attempts and quite a lot of screaming but eventually she made it up the ropes and down the tube slide!
We have had a lovely day today playing in the garden and going to Breckside Park.
Sophie Enjoying The Garden
Sophie looked at all the flowers and asked me to take photos of her favourites.
Lovely Blue
Pink Water Lily
Mason wanted to make a snail home using different items from around the garden. Jacy and Jack loved the idea and made their own. They asked me to choose my favourites. I explained they were all lovely and the snail will judge by going on the one it likes best.
Mason and Jack
Mason
Jacy
Mason
After playing in the garden it was time for lunch then off to the park.
Such Good Behaviour
The younger children enjoyed a kick about, quoits and catch the ball in the net. They ran about so much all they wanted was the pram, bottle and sleep. Job well done!
Sophie and Alfie
Mason Practicing
Catch
The bigger children set up the goal posts and had a kick about trying to see who could get the most goals. After about 2 hours and lots of sweat, tears and moans we decided to go back and have a cold drink and ice lolly’s. Four very over heated children!!
Tracie's Treasures 