Ideas for new school veg plot!

[Tori]

I have managed to secure a grant for the linkaboard kits and compost and we have set up an area ready for planting.
However - we have a problem. . . .
School breaks up for the summer at the end of July and the caretaker is useless and doesn't want anything to do with the veg garden, not even water it!
So what can I grow between now and then, that will be ready for the children to eat? - Obviously cut and come again salads, and beetroot but thats as far as my ideas go!

Half of the plot is in shade and half is in sun.

Any ideas greatfully received!

[vikkib]

I'm a complete novice so don't take this as gospel but I'm sure someone mentioned having some new/early potatoes ready in five or six weeks on the 'Dig In' programme I saw last night.

I think you need to chit them first (and I'm not sure how long that takes!) but here is a link to the info on the BBC site: BBC - Gardening - Basics - Growing potatoes

However, I'm sure some very knowledgeable people will be along soon!

[taff]

Radishes, baby carrots ( well not baby carrots, but carrots that you pull up when they're babies), not sure whether early peas will be in time, I think so, but not totally 100%, herbs like thyme, coriander, spring onions.
If the budget stretches, maybe some plug plants?

[selfraising]

Radishes are quick and you could try parmex carrots (they are small round golf ball sized), spring onions might be ready in time. If you planted early potatoes now they might just be ready in time. Sunflowers are always good to attract birds and bees. If I remember rightly my mangetout was ready to crop in June last year.

[Eyren]

Spinach is fast-growing and doesn't like heat - I sow mine in spring and it is all harvested within three months! There might also be time to get a crop of broad beans if you sow them right now - and they're nice big seeds, easy for the kids to sow. Ditto first early potatoes - something like Orla, Colleen, or the aptly-named Swift. Make sure they are earlies, though - many salad potatoes, including Nicola and Anya, are actually maincrops and won't be ready in time.

As selfraising says, spring onions are worth a try, though they can be slow-growing. However they are hardy and relatively drought-tolerant, I think, so could probably be left over the summer, especially if you grow them in the shady area. Just water thoroughly at the end of term and mulch thickly with compost to keep the water in!

[Snadger]

Sack the caretaker!

[Tori]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I will get the kids planting when we get back

I would love to sack the caretaker - he is bloody useless. His favourite phrase is 'it's not my job' - Sadly I don't have that kind of power!

[GrubbyGirl]

I would love to sack the caretaker - he is bloody useless. His favourite phrase is 'it's not my job' - Sadly I don't have that kind of power!

The Governors have the power - I know because I am one. Find out of any of them are keen gardeners and try and get them involved, you'd be amazed at how the caretakers attitude will change if he's being asked to do something by a governor.........well that's how it is in my school