It’s been a hot and dry start to the gardening year, with most classes seeking the shade in the middle of the day.  But the enthusiasm of the children to garden, cook and eat is strong!

With much excitement, Class 4 undertook their wheelbarrow licence and passed with flying colours!  They all negotiated a wheelbarrow loaded with a full watering can around a tricky obstacle course.  This week the class made basil pesto (from their own garden), served with carrot and zucchini noodles.  Insect studies will also feature in their gardening journey this year.

Class 5/6 are preparing for their main lesson in Botany with a study of some of the more common plants around the school grounds.  Botanical drawings will be a common theme for the year also.  Half of the class are developing a herb patch for herbal teas, while the others have feasted on fresh biodynamic sweet corn that grew well over the holidays.

Class 7 have each chosen a tree in the orchard to be the custodian of this year.  This will involve weeding, feeding, pruning and dealing with pests and/or diseases.  Studying plants and soil organisms will be a large part of their gardening year and we have started to look at leaves under microscopes.  The class will begin to plant quick growing vegetable crops next week in preparation for a “cafe” in Week 10.

The theme threading through this will be healthy soil equals healthy plants equals healthy people.

A reminder to parents that any help, either in the gardens or during gardening classes, would be most appreciated... Give me a call on 0456 229 124 if you would like to help, as after all, kike never sleeps!

Happy gardening to all.

Neal