Garden blog
Visit of Dale Treadwell
We had a special visitor to our school today (15th Oct). Renowned Heritage Expert and environmentalist Dale Treadwell visited the senior classes to explore the theme of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the theme of our latest Green Flag and Dale explained the meaning of biodiversity and he gave examples of biodiversity in action. Each child got to check out a bug viewer complete with mini beasts. There were lady birds, shale beetles, spiders, centipedes to choose from. He also showed us a very interesting video about bees and he appealed for us to help save our bees He briefly mentioned the All Ireland pollinator plan and told us what we could do as a school to make a difference. Indeed he planted a selection of pollinator friendly plants including Dahlias, Buddleias and Lupins with 5th class. It was a very enjoyable visit and we wish to express our gratitude to Dale and Heritage in Schools for giving so generously of his time. Dale was also very helpful to 5th class with their science project on our school garden. For more information on this aspect please click here       |
Spring 2018
After what has been a very difficult winter weather wise, we actually managed to get a day where we could do some gardening today. Mr Breslin and Ms Condron worked with boys and girls from JI, 4th and 5th classes and managed to do all of the initial prep work for our garden for the new year. Paths were weeded and scuffled, beds had weeds pulled and were dug, our strawberry patch was weeded, all of the winter twigs and debris was collected and finally a crop of early potatoes was sown. Thanks to all of the boys and girls who helped out.     |
Garden 2017
Raised beds have recently been prepared by 2nd class and members of 6th class. Many thanks to all those involved. It has been quite wet and so planting has not commenced yet and may have to wait until after Easter. Some of the beds have been renewed with compost and farmyard manure. Cloonan's hardware have once again kindly donated seeds for us to use and we are very grateful for this. |
Potatoes
Its not been a great spring here in the school garden with the heavy rain and cool temperatures stopping planting. Other developments include:
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2016 A new gardening year!
Well its been a quiet time in the garden over the winter months and truth be told we weren't very active outside in the garden. Therefore we got a lovely surprise when we went out in early March to start this years prep work when we found loads of parsnips that had kept growing over the winter and had actually matured nicely! Our leeks which we had more or less given up on also managed to surprise us with some fine specimens still growing. Not ones for resting on our laurels though, we quickly got to work trying to put our beds in shape for the coming year. Weeds were pulled, beds were dug and twigs and branches were collected. Thanks to the helpers from 6th and 2nd class for such great work. Ms Sheeran and 5th class were the first class to plant this year when they planted cabbage plants before Easter. 2nd class are preparing potatoes for planting by chitting them.    |
Picking potatoes
Ms Davis recently brought out 3rd class to pick potatoes from our school garden. We weren't expecting much as they were affected by blight and poor growth due to cool temperatures in early summer, however we were pleasantly surprised to uncover loads of potatoes. Thanks to Ms Davis and Ms Kelly the potatoes were turned into wedges the next day and everyone agreed that they tasted great! |
Thank you
It has been great fun this year out in the garden and despite the weather we have made progress. This would not have been possible without help from all of the boys and girls. In particular a small group of girls and mainly boys from 5th class who often gave up their breaks to come work in the garden. |
Summer
Well after a difficult growing season we have eventually got some good weather and with it a little growth. Radish Ms Sheerans class have harvested the radish which was first past the post as regards being fit to harvest. Most people managed to bring one home. Cabbage The cabbages have grown very well and were almost ready to cut when disaster struck. Or rather some form of pest has struck as unfortunately the heart has been eaten out of the cabbage. Investigations are still onpoing.   What has eaten our cabbage?Potatoes Our potato crop of early potatoes will not be ready to dig by the end of our school year. Growth has been way too slow and unfortunately we will have to wait a little longer before they are ready.  Broccolli Our Brocolli has been a great success and the heads have formed. Although they are still very small some of them are actually ready to cut.  Strawberries Our strawberries are ripe!!!!! The addition of a net over the strawberries has meant those pesky birds have had to find their own dessert this year!  |
Back to work
The weather has been great over the Easter holidays and most of our vegetables have been making great progress. Unfortunately the potatoes are still not coming through so it now looks highly unlikely to have them before we leave in June. This week the following classes planted vegetables in the garden.
Members of 5th and 6th class have been helping out with many of the general garden tasks such as bed preparation and watering. Mr Breslins class have sown leek seeds and Brussel Sprout seeds and these will be looked after indoors for the moment. |
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