School Garden Challenge

[MrsC]

Hi all,

Have started another thread on this as I really need your ideas and knowledge please! Next week we are off to meet Chris Beardshaw re this. We won't have all the details until we go up there, but would like some ideas/opinions on reading the following link, just to confirm we have an 8' x 4' plot with an area for supporting artwork etc, not sure if we have to grow everything from seed for the garden or not? Have got lots of ideas, but you (I mean I) can get carried away (if you know what I mean.)

Your opinions would be appreciated, many thanks.... sue x

Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire : Events

[allotmentlady]

OOOOOOH give him a kiss from me will you, he is luvverly.........good luck with your project sue, hope you get plenty of ideas from Chris.

[MrsC]

thanks allotmentlady, will do, but also need grapes advice, i've got sooooo many, but maybe need to simplify them, need someone to read the link and give me their opinion as well, maybe i've read too much into it (i get very arty about the whole thing), so excited to have such an opportunity, but someone needs me to pull me back down to earth lol

[allotmentlady]

Give us a couple of your ideas so we can try to help you xx just read the link and I have my understanding of it, its on the 29th isnt it?

[MrsC]

the judging day is on 29th, but will be there from 27th (eve) to set up. have a local (medieval tradition they say) happens every year, based on this. thought of linking to - plants grown in that time (using modern day equivalents) medicinal properties - use of recycled containers (as they would have had in their time) but linking too modern recycling and the items available nowadays - food miles (self sufficiency eg - victorian gardens etc) - food miles - environmental impact in today's terms.

Hope this makes sense, where have put ... -... i mean how they would link from one to the other. supporting artwork to include in garden and in designated area eg: insect homes etc to attract wildlife, book detailing the work leading upto events (as i figured that gardeners of that time and still do, would have kept records) a modern day version etc, plus interactive for children and adults alike.

Don't want too waffle too much, got loads of things in my head!

[areia]

any chance you can see projects over the years so you dont copy anything thats already been done or you can manipulate? its a lot to try and cram in as well as making it interactive and artistic,
your doing this with the children yes ? what are there ideas? kids are good they can keep things simple where our brains can get overun
do a brainstorm makes things a lot simpler in the beggining (you have probably done this )
lets us know what feedback you get from chris, this looks good this i want to follow this i would love to just get my sons even school remotely interested, as they have a huge space to grow stuff if they wanted.

[MrsC]

thanks areia for your reply, 1st time it has been done at this garden show, i know what you mean re - keeping it simple though, yes the kids are involved, the same with our garden at school, got lots going on in there.

thanks for your support, i really appreciate it x

[TPeers]

Having read the link I think these seem the most important points..

"Children have been encouraged to think about the different uses of plants in their gardens, understanding that plants can be grown not only as food but for colour and design purposes as well.

Some plants can be both decorative and edible, i.e. red leaved lettuce, the yellow flowers on courgettes.

As part of this project the children will see how to grow plants and the stages of plant growth from seed, germination and maturity."

So you need to think about incorporating all these things... A quick maturing crop such as Raab or a dwarf french bean (speedy is supposed to mature in 6 weeks) A decorative design which uses colour so... a wheel design with nasturtiums(sp?) bronze fennel or a fescue (height), variagated something or other... you get the drift.

That is how I read it.... but I'd come up with a few designs - ask the kids what they want the plants to look like and then try to match their requirements to a plant! You may have some who just want veg, some who just want decoratives and some who want a combo.

The main thing is that like girlguiding this should be child lead - stear them by all means - they will need guidance - but try to use their ideas and their designs. You might find a budding Beardshaw!

[MrsC]

thanks tpeers!

[MrsC]

just a quick update, spent a wonderful afternoon at the show venue, kids and adults loved every minute, what a lovely man Mr Beardshaw is!

[MrsC]

any ideas?

[SueA]

I'm really jealous, Chris Beardshaw's lovely!
If you still want to go with the 'medicine' idea & combining some of the ideas above how about a herb wheel as that would be easy to put together. You could also get the children to grow a sunflower each from seed ( maybe not giant ones though, they'd take up too much room) to plant in the garden as that has dual purposes being decorative & providing seeds for birds or humans to eat. I'd use lots of recycled planters as well, old wellies, watering cans, buckets with holes in etc. & plant them up with flowers & veg. I like the idea of the courgettes mentioned in the link as they are easy for the kids to grow from seed & do look good.

[mrs dog]

I prefer Monty myself but then I remember the days when he was into other interests and very modern!!!

[MrsC]

I prefer Monty myself but then I remember the days when he was into other interests and very modern!!!

My favourite is Alan Titchmarsh, but Chris Beardshaw is fantastic with the kids, inspired them, they haven't stopped talking about the afternoon, what it's all about really. Any ideas for this then?

[MrsC]

another update, have now planned with the kids and sowed our seeds today, also built a very large unheated greenhouse/coldframe thingy! lots of other curriculum links/theme with every class now involved, very happy!