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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 13, 2007 22:12:44 GMT 1
Here are two views of the areas where I intend to plant fruit trees - I would like a sweet cherry, a pear tree and dessert apple at least! All the shrubs are going to be dug out as they are not really suitable for a school playground and they are always trimmed to within an inch of their lives.   Btw all the trees will stay. I'm finding this thread quite motivating as once I've posted a picture here I just HAVE to make sure it's done.... |
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Post by plocket on Mar 14, 2007 13:23:57 GMT 1
I think it's looking fabulous 4P! What does the native pond kit from Wiggley Wigglers contain?
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Post by The witch on Mar 15, 2007 23:11:44 GMT 1
Looks brill 4P can't wait to see the next round of photo's  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 18, 2007 15:42:15 GMT 1
Have you seen the April issue of KG? On p7 there is a coupon for the KG schools pack (2.99) It has 5 packs of easy to grow seeds, experiments and information about healthy eating, also hints and tips about encouraging wildlife, and a secure website the kids can log on to in school time. Smallest could get involved at home if you dont want to send for it for the school ;D If you dont have the mag I can give you the contact details ..  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 18, 2007 17:18:53 GMT 1
Ooh, cheers me dear! I'll pop into the newsagent and buy the magazine on Monday.....
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Post by madonplants on Mar 23, 2007 13:05:17 GMT 1
How is it going, 4P? Have you received the plants from Wiggly, yet or will they be delivered later? If you have received them, what did you get?
Question, questions!
Keith
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Post by 4pygmies on May 11, 2007 7:47:15 GMT 1
The pond plants arrived yesterday, very well packed and all safe and sound. As I started to undo the boxes a little cluster of children appeared as if by magic! They helped me get everything unpacked and took all the stuff out to the ponds, full of questions and eager to get wet! Three of them have ponds at home and are going to ask their parents for donations and a bucket of pond water - these were the older children who haven't shown much interest yet so that was good. Smallest was also hugged a lot too by staff and children alike as they all knew about her operations. Aren't kids great?
Can't wait to get build the ramp and get going again now.
Anybody got any ideas about the plants to put around and on top of the ramp to help creatures get in and out? I shall sow some grass seed but I think it needs evergreen shrubby things and some good ground cover in that corner too.......
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Post by 4pygmies on May 11, 2007 7:52:35 GMT 1
PS I didn't have a chance to actually read the names of the plants, Keith - just wanted to make sure they were fine and get them in some water - I remember Hornbit, a couple of water lilies...the rest were all native plants. I'll have to check the labels next week when smallest is back at school.
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Post by The witch on May 11, 2007 9:37:18 GMT 1
How exciting 4P - were they delivered bare rooted? How will the ramp be constructed and how much, if any soil depth will there be? |
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Post by madonplants on May 11, 2007 10:00:18 GMT 1
I know what little kids can be about, 4P. When there is a 'job' to be done, my six year old is the first helper to come forth. When OH comes back from Tescos, who is the first to help unload the car? Should be me, I know, but he can run faster!!  When I am in the garden, planting, he will always be there digging the hole, even if it does take 5 times as long as I would take. Oh and it is so nice to hear that kids DO have ponds at home and not affected by this PC of kids shouldn't have ponds in their garden!! Just thought, how about weeds, no sorry wild flowers up the ramp? Would certainly bring wildlife in! Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 6, 2007 17:10:15 GMT 1
Here's a picture of the half finished ramp into the pond. I've used air bricks so I can tuck some plants into them to help it knit together. I'm going to seed it with grass and plant some plants along the edges with some weedy stuff like sedges, plantains and creeping buttercups along the top. I hope that will give the creatures a way in and out without too much trouble. It's not finished as I ran out of energy digging up the soil elsewhere and barrowing over to the garden. We've only got a builders barrow at school at the moment and it's bloody awful! I need several more loads to mound it up and spread the ramp into the plants at the base. The new Cotoneaster and Escallonia are on either side.  Thoughts? I don't mind criticism - now's the time to get it right..... |
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Post by Sleepy on Jun 6, 2007 17:18:15 GMT 1
Here's a picture of the half finished ramp into the pond. I've used air bricks so I can tuck some plants into them to help it knit together. I'm going to seed it with grass and plant some plants along the edges with some weedy stuff like sedges, plantains and creeping buttercups along the top. I hope that will give the creatures a way in and out without too much trouble. It's not finished as I ran out of energy digging up the soil elsewhere and barrowing over to the garden. We've only got a builders barrow at school at the moment and it's bloody awful! I need several more loads to mound it up and spread ramp into the plants at the base. Thoughts? I don't mind criticism - now's the time to get it right..... Try and find some room for ladies smock, and ragged robin. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 6, 2007 17:23:41 GMT 1
Will try! Do you think ragged robin would like it - does it prefer damp ground? Ours is really sandy and stony.....do you like the ramp? Rosie took this while I was working - it looks pretty good at the moment I think.  |
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Post by Sleepy on Jun 6, 2007 17:25:41 GMT 1
Will try! Do you think ragged robin would like it - does it prefer damp ground? Ours is really snady and stony.....do you like the ramp? I don't know, but some native flowers would have an eduation benefit, as well as really good for wildlife. I like the ramp very much |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jun 6, 2007 17:27:16 GMT 1
Wicked good |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 6, 2007 17:37:36 GMT 1
Thank you! God, I hope it works alright though....everything takes so long cos it's mainly me doing it and I'm a bit of a wreck at the moment. Still, I've got a few mum's working together next week to remove the rest of the shrubs and then we're going in convoy to the GC to spend about £1000 on plants, trees and composts etc! Then it's making and siting the raised beds, planting the trees and generally getting it all done FINALLY!
Any suggestions for the 4 raised beds? I'd like some sort of theme in each one that has an educational slant - ie drought planting or bee plants ot something. My head is getting overloaded.....
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Post by The witch on Jun 6, 2007 17:55:31 GMT 1
Here's a picture of the half finished ramp into the pond. I've used air bricks so I can tuck some plants into them to help it knit together. I'm going to seed it with grass and plant some plants along the edges with some weedy stuff like sedges, plantains and creeping buttercups along the top. I hope that will give the creatures a way in and out without too much trouble. It's not finished as I ran out of energy digging up the soil elsewhere and barrowing over to the garden. We've only got a builders barrow at school at the moment and it's bloody awful! I need several more loads to mound it up and spread the ramp into the plants at the base. The new Cotoneaster and Escallonia are on either side. Thoughts? I don't mind criticism - now's the time to get it right..... Looks brilliant 4P - have you cemented the bricks in place I wonder?  |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 6, 2007 18:22:15 GMT 1
Looking good 4P. I remember doing a drawing, but never finished it. Have a look, looks similar! Keith  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 6, 2007 21:32:30 GMT 1
That's reassuring Keith! I'm making this up as I go along you know......no, I didn't cement it in The witch (that's another whole lot of H&S rules and I would have to work outside schooltimes etc.) I angled it slightly outwards and I'm hoping that all the plants will knit it together........I'm getting obsessed with this garden - I watched a bit of Springwatch the other night and was getting cross cos they kept showing animals - I want to know what all the plants are! (Can't watch it for long, how does Kate Humble stop herself from battering babbling Bill Oddie?)
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Post by Sleepy on Jun 6, 2007 21:34:57 GMT 1
That's reassuring Keith! I'm making this up as I go along you know......no, I didn't cement it in The witch (that's another whole lot of H&S rules and I would have to work outside schooltimes etc.) I angled it slightly outwards and I'm hoping that all the plants will knit it together........I'm getting obsessed with this garden - I watched a bit of Springwatch the other night and was getting cross cos they kept showing animals - I want to know what all the plants are! (Can't watch it for long, how does Kate Humble stop herself from battering babbling Bill Oddie?) Kate Humble is nice, isn't she? Mmmmmm |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 6, 2007 21:38:44 GMT 1
Practically perfect - the skinny cow - I expect she has some faults but I couldn't possibly say what I think they are here....
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Post by The witch on Jun 7, 2007 8:06:28 GMT 1
That's reassuring Keith! I'm making this up as I go along you know......no, I didn't cement it in The witch (that's another whole lot of H&S rules and I would have to work outside schooltimes etc.) I angled it slightly outwards and I'm hoping that all the plants will knit it together........I'm getting obsessed with this garden - I watched a bit of Springwatch the other night and was getting cross cos they kept showing animals - I want to know what all the plants are! (Can't watch it for long, how does Kate Humble stop herself from battering babbling Bill Oddie?) There's a message board on the Springwatch site 4P - perhaps you could ask there about the plants they've shown www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/springwatch/ |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 7, 2007 10:00:38 GMT 1
Thanks The witch I'll have a butchers. Glad you're back - how do you know all these links - it's WELL impressive..
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Post by madonplants on Jun 7, 2007 10:06:34 GMT 1
That's reassuring Keith! I'm making this up as I go along you know...... no, I didn't cement it in The witch (that's another whole lot of H&S rules and I would have to work outside schooltimes etc.) I angled it slightly outwards and I'm hoping that all the plants will knit it together........I'm getting obsessed with this garden - I watched a bit of Springwatch the other night and was getting cross cos they kept showing animals - I want to know what all the plants are! (Can't watch it for long, how does Kate Humble stop herself from battering babbling Bill Oddie?) What!!! How does cement effect H & S? Surely the ramp being more secure is what they would want! What school is this, a concentration camp?  Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 7, 2007 10:14:45 GMT 1
You would not believe how much schools are ruled by H&S now Keith....partly because I'm not officially a builder and partly because the wildlife garden is next to very well used areas of the school I can't take responsibility for any accidents cos I don't have liability insurance etc I think the whole thing is mad but then the modern world IS mad I have to fence this whole section of the garden off when it's done to prevent kids intruding on it so it doesn't matter that the ramp isn't really solid (she says confidently..). I would like to paint a nice appropriate quotation along the front boards - anybody any nice verses please? |
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