After all the rain, this spring is set to be a beauty.

There are orchids already showing themselves in the bush... and the buds on the stone fruits are already blooming.

Many gardening classes in the last couple of months have been indoors with leaf rubbing, seed saving and botany lessons keeping us busy.

Thanks to the efforts of Class 1 and 6, the school orchard now has five new young fruit trees, including... persimmons, mandarins, nashi pear and apricots.

Class 2 have been studying leaves in all their diversity and colour whilst tending and eating a fantastic crop of broccoli.

Class 3 continue to maintain a large crop of garlic that will be cured and braided later in the year with some being sold through the school markets.  They will soon be planting 'the three sisters', a mix of beans, corn and pumpkins in the same patch.

Class 4/5 and 6 have been planting natives around the new water tank and along the edge of the oval.

It’s an exciting time in the garden, with longer days and more sunshine driving growth.  Unfortunately that includes weeds!  So if your children come home with dirty fingernails you’ll know it was for a good cause!

Happy gardening,

Neal