St Bernard’s Primary RC School

31st August 2010- "Many Hands Make Light Work!"

Many, Many Thanks to the four adult helpers this week. There is still so much to get done and we couldn't do what we need to, without their help!

This week we were able to split into groups around the grounds again and got more dead heading, feeding and harvesting done.

A great crop of potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes and courgettes were collected. We are still harvesting the broccoli which has been a fantastic provider and it won't be long now for the leeks, beetroot, corn and pumpkins to mature.

We have decided not to sow any more seeds outdoors at the moment as we prepare our beds to incorporate a rotation system and a few perennials, and we are in the process of clearing a space to accommodate our homemade, full sized 'Plastic Bottle Greenhouse'.

And that's where you all come in!

We need 1500 two litre plastic bottles collected in the next three weeks-no bother we hear you say-that's only 5 bottles each- so 2 bottles each for the next 3 weeks and we're sorted! (with a few to spare)

But......it doesn't stop there.....WE NEED GROWN-UPS HELP to build it.

So.................. Get Your Grown-Ups Volunteering!

Whole School Action Day - Thursday 23rd September.

Tell them its 'Bring a Grown-Up to School Day'.

Get Begging- lots of work we need them a-doing!

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24th August 2010 - week 2

Many Thanks to the two additional adult volunteers, who helped us get quite a few jobs done this week.

We split up into 3 groups and set about our hard work.

The first group concentrated on harvesting - lettuce, peas, cauliflower, beans, tomatoes and yes you've guessed it - still more and more courgettes!

The second group focussed on maintenance and feeding - the pumpkin tendrils were pruned back, all fruit and veg were watered and fed, some leaves were cut back on the tomato plants to hopefully help redden them up and the still beautiful planters at the front door were dead-headed and fed.

The third wellie-brigade had the heaviest work , edging, turning and beginning the formation of a rather large 'bed' in the grassed area at the back playground.

Some wild flowers had been sown in that area last term and a few remain, however Project Bio-Diversity will see a more structured area in the coming weeks and months with the focus more on perennials than annuals.

So tell all the bees, butterflies, and ladybirds you know to get themselves down to St. B's, quick smart next Spring!

Happy Gardening!

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Multi-Award Winning Garden!

Tuesday 17th August 2010

We're back and with FANTASTIC news!

St Bernard's Garden has been successful in every project we entered.

1. We were awarded the 'Alan Titchmarsh Award' from the RHS Campaign for School Gardening for being an outstanding example of a school garden for teaching and learning.

We received £250 of National Gardening Vouchers to spend in a local garden centre.

2. We won the 'One Pot Pledge' six week challenge to grow 'Incredible Edibles'.

We won an award winning heated Vitopod Propagator

3. We were Runners Up in the 'Budding Gardeners' Garden Plot Growers competition.

We won £200 of Harrods' Horticultural Vouchers.

and ....

4. We are just awaiting confirmation that we have now achieved the Silver Standard of the Woodlands Trust - Green Tree Award Scheme.

Phew!

How Good Are We?

Well take a look at all the pictures of the garden and the produce we've been busy harvesting ( & eating) over July & August and see for yourselves !

Lots of plans for the near future, lots of exciting news coming soon for all you 'Grown Ups' out there, so watch this space!

Happy Gardening.

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