The Garden in Autumn 2016
On Wednesday the 12th of October Fourth Class boys began weeding the flower beds in the school garden. Michael, James and Art weeded one bed while Callum, Kalem and myself did another one. We put on gardening gloves and used equipment to remove the nettles and thistles. There was great competition between us.
On Thursday the 13th of October Third Class boys along with Callum and James from Fourth Class loosened and raked the soil in each bed. Next they added compost to each one.
Later that day the girls in Third and Fourth planted daffodils bulbs. We had a bag of bulbs in the storeroom from last year. They will rest throughout the winter and then as the weather gets warmer next spring, they will begin to grow and bloom. We will look forward to lots of dancing daffodils in April 2017.
Dáire McKenna
Global Citizenship G.S. Committee
Global Citizenship G.S. Committee
Planting Seeds in the Polytunnel 2016
On Friday the 14th of October Third Class pupils went to the polytunnel to plant tree seeds, nuts and berries. All that week, we had collected
- acorns from oak trees
- conkers from horse chestnut trees
- beech nuts
- haws from hawthorn hedges
- ask keys
We also brought empty milk cartons to school to recycle them as planting pots.
Firstly we sorted the nuts into six different trays. Then we wrote our names on the milk cartons. Next we filled each container with compost and put in which ever nuts we wanted. We each had to fill two pots because Fourth Class were away on a forest walk.
Firstly we sorted the nuts into six different trays. Then we wrote our names on the milk cartons. Next we filled each container with compost and put in which ever nuts we wanted. We each had to fill two pots because Fourth Class were away on a forest walk.
Cailín McKenna (3rd)
Honor Colleran (3rd)
Honor Colleran (3rd)
Gardening – Spring 2015
Third and Fourth classes were busy in the school garden during April and May. Firstly, they had to weed the raised beds and then add rich compost from the school’s compost bins.They noticed the earthworms and fruit flies had done an amazing job converting waste fruit peelings and tea bags into nutrient soil. After raking the soil, all was ready for planting.
Fourth Class planting Marigolds
Third Class planting Onions
Organic Garden
The next flag we are working towards is on the theme of ‘Biodiversity’ – the interconnectivity of all living things. To help us in this area we need to improve our school Grounds in an imaginative and environmentally friendly way. These improvements need to incorporate elements that are child friendly and develop the children’s understanding of the natural world.
When Glaslough Development Association suggested setting up a Community Garden the staff agreed that it would be a wonderful asset to the school and would fit in perfectly with our next Green Schools Campaign.
What will be in the New Garden?
- There will be a raised bed area divided in 4 sections – one for each class. These raised beds will be used by the children to grow plants and vegetables.
- A path around the beds will allow easy access and avoid bringing clay back into the school!
- The garden will include log and stone piles where the children can study insects.
- There will also be a seating area where the children can have picnics / eat their lunch in the good weather.
- We will have a Greenhouse made from recycled plastic bottles and a compost area.
- The poly tunnel will be used to grow plants / vegetables from seeds and also to grow flowers for the village for the Tidy Towns Campaign.
There will be scope to develop and change the garden so any ideas or suggestions are most welcome.
Thank you to Caolan, Cailín and Cormac McKenna for donating a wonderful
Bird Box to help with our Biodiversity theme.
Bird Box to help with our Biodiversity theme.
Sourcing of Trees for our Garden - March 2013.
We are presently sourcing trees to enhance the school grounds and garden and to encourage biodiversity for first-hand observation by all classes.
- The Tree Council of Ireland have recently granted us the sum of 380 euro for the purchase of trees.
- The Irish Independent newspaper is at present providing tokens for trees and some parents have kindly offered to begin the collection.
- The Forestry Foundation is currently running a campaign to plant one million trees in one day. We will purchase four, one per classroom, for a donation of 12 euro.
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