Seedlings – Page 8 – Tracie's Treasures

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!

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.

Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Gardeners’ World Recommends…

Posted on 28th Mar 202128th Mar 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Every Saturday morning and my day off, first thing I always do is stick the kettle on, get the tea pot out and pop in a bagel to toast.

I then go into the snug and pour out my first cuppa of the day (and I have quite a few!!)

Next it’s feet up, cat on lap and on goes Friday night’s Gardeners’ World. Our Monty Don brightens up the morning. He tells me how to grow all the fruit and vegetables the children love to eat. I have my jotter ready for recommendations and what I need to do for that weekend.

This week our Monty recommended Padron Chillies. Well my face dropped! I can’t stand Chillies, way too hot for me! Monty went on to say they are not hot but fruity!

Shall I give them a go? I chickened out, thinking there’s no point getting them when we have other types chillies growing for the children and our families.

Monday morning who’s ringing my door bell? It’s Granny Smith waving a bag of Padron Chillies!

She says “Our Monty recommended these chillies last night on Gardeners’ World!”

“Really?” I said “I never watch it!” Hehehe.

So I think about it for a while, well if I have to try them, Emma and the children do too!

Georgia did a thumbs up, she said it was delicious.

Emma thought it was sweet but it repeated on her.

Sophie and Luke wouldn’t try it at all

I was so brave, I had two bites! It wasn’t hot in-fact, it’ll be lovely in a Chicken Kebab! Mixed reviews from the children, but thanks Monty Don for recommending the Padron Chillies!

Tracie x

rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Messages From Niamh

Posted on 24th Mar 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

The Little Seedlings said a farewell to Niamh back in December 2020 as she was moving back home to Ireland with her mummy and daddy.

Niamh Wearing The Apron She Made With Us

Since then, we have been sending pictures and messages to each other. Niamh sent us this picture of her, wearing the apron she made in the last week with us.

The Little Seedlings sent this picture back, asking her how she was and if she had settled in her new home.

Niamh said she misses us all but she loves having mummy and daddy with her all the time.

Today we had a special message from Niamh, she was reading us her favourite book!

Poppy was very happy as it was called ‘Poppy and Sam’s Bedtime’ we are amazed how grown up Niamh has got! Talk soon, love the Little Seedlings.

Seedlings

Messy Time With Martie

Posted on 19th Mar 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

Tracie thought it was about time Martie took the Tracie’s Treasures squirty cream challenge.

We wanted to see how much mess she can make, what mark-making creativity she does and how much cream is left after the challenge!

Tracie added sprinkle stars to the mixture.

By the end of the activity there wasn’t much cream left on the tray, it was all over Martie! Must be time for a play bath, to get nice and clean for Mummy and Daddy.

rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Comic Relief 2021

Posted on 19th Mar 202110th Aug 2021 by Tracie Dowling

The Little Seedings made some very nice Red Nose Day biscuits. Tracie mixed the water into the icing sugar and it exploded everywhere, we all thought this was very funny!