Growing Schools in Whitley

This is my project blog, following the development of 6 schools gardens as part of the Whitley Excellence Cluster's Aspire project, in Reading. Myself and colleague Dave are working with teachers, school governers and of course the pupils to create school gardens that are healthy, abundant and sustainable landscapes. The project started in March 2006. This is my diary of the work and I hope to encourage pupils to write their own blog for their individual garden projects.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

some of the plants waiting to be planted at Blagdon Road school. A selection of tallish clumping grasses, to give it a seaside feel - which is key theme for the garden, as well as lavenders and rosemary and other scented haerbs. These will form the understory beneath the fruit trees Posted by Picasa

root barrier fabric on the new paths, this will be covered in 20mm slate chip pieces. It should make a lovely textured new footpath Posted by Picasa

establishing the beds and new paths, it is slowly taking shape Posted by Picasa

the nursary school is directly behind Posted by Picasa

there is an apple tree and blackcurrent bush in the courtyard already, so we will make a feaature of them, adding some good companion plants as well as a pear and cherry tree Posted by Picasa

Sheet Mulch and raised beds. This is a classic permaculture technique for establishing a forest garden and revitalising the soil. The school yard is clay and very hard packed by many years of trampling by little feet. The sheet mulch will suppress the grtass and any weeds and give us a chance to feed up the soil and boost its mini bugs and beast content. A healthy open soil is of course the key to a healthy garden. Many of the plants we are choosing to use are especially good at helping this process. Deep rooted plants like comfrey complementing the shallower rooted fruit trees for example. A thivk layer of straw and Zoo Poo compst will be allowed to saok up some moisture and when the planting is complete we will close over with a layer of card and wood chip. Posted by Picasa

Here is my Day one picture, we have already lifted the concrete paving slabs that were there. They had become uneven and were dangerous and unsightly and were the first things that had to go. Posted by Picasa

Blagdon School Garden: Zoo Poo, great stuff this. lovely to use, its composted animal manure from Paignton Zoo - herbivores only, and composted commercially by a specialist company for 9 months and pathogen free I hasten to add. There were some concerns at the school that a trailer full of steeaming elephant dung would appear in their yard Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Story telling chair. Posted by Picasa