The Little Growers Blog!

Yesterday, we held our options evening.  One of the options I was offering was Horticulture.  Happy to say, there was a great interest in the subject by parents and pupils alike.  So much so that I was still talking to parents after all the other subject co-ordinators had packed up and gone.  Looks like I'm going to be busy come September, especially as the subject will carry an ASDAN accreditation and AQA Unit Awards.
Hope I've not made a rod for my own back!!!!!!

During the half-term break I was able to construct and fit the door frames and doors.  Again, my brother offered his assistance.  Good job, because I'm not to sure on making concrete mixes.

The tadpoles have metamorphosed and are now tiny little frogs, the size of your finger nail.

Looks like we can pick our first crop of peas, and some new potatoes too, so all looking quite good at the moment.

Have uploaded some new pictures of the allotment/horticulture facility.  Progress is being made but quite slowly due to weather and time constraints.  Anyway, have a look and see what you think.

Feel like I've achieved quite a lot over the weekend.  I came into school on Saturday to start piecing together the super-structure of the tunnel.  Managed to prefabricate some sections then a storm blew in.  Didn't think it wise to be stood in the open wagging steel poles around whilst in the middle of a thunder storm, so halted the operation.  Kindly, my brother again volunteered his services on the Sunday so we both set about erecting the steelwork.  Happy to say, we managed to complete the job.  All the framework is up and looks fantastic.  Got the base timber sections to fit together next and then its the moment of truth.  Fitting the polythene.

Will keep you posted.

Spent the bank holiday weekend over here at school watering and aligning the poly tunnel footings.  Hot and windy work but mercifully my brother kindly gave up his time to assist.  The footings are all complete and accurately spaced which means I can erect the rest of the super structure.  All a question of getting the time though.  Might ask the boss for some time off timetable.  Fingers crossed.

If there are any local schools (Trafford Area) who are running, or thinking of running similar projects, I would be glad to hear from you to exchange ideas and maybe visits.  Let me know.  Anthony.

Came into school on Saturday to water the vegetables.  Whilst inspecting the site, I discovered that a hedgehog had fallen down one of the foundation holes of the poly-tunnel.  He seemed ok, so I fished him out and gave him a saucer of water.  After a few minutes, he shuffled off into the undergrowth.  Came in again on Monday morning and discovered another (possibly the sameone) down another hole.  Went through the same rigmarole and off he went.  I've inadvertantly created a hedgehog trap!  Will hopefully have the foundations secured and filled in soon, and Mr Hedgehog can go about his business as usual.

The tadpoles have hatched and are really enjoying basking in the pond.  The bullrush seems to have taken too, so the pond seems like its getting itself established.  Noticed there's lots of water creatures appearing as well, so we'll be good for pond dipping quite soon. 

Managed to purchase a couple of water butts today and our Construction Dept' were able to install them on each side of the shed.  Hopefully this will solve the irrigation problem.

With the area reserved for the poly tunnel now clear of turf, I was able to mark out the dimensions for the base-plates over the holidays.  Wasn't looking forward to digging 18 holes roughly 1.5'x1.5'x3' deep.  On Monday, a couple of the Post 16 students volunteered to give me a hand.  What do you know? By the end of the day we had the job done.  I'm now ready to start erecting the tunnel.  Also, with all the fine weather, watering is now becoming an issue and I'm having to do the job two or three times a day.  Quite difficult trying to work this around my other commitments, but essential if we are to have any success with the crops, which appear to be doing nicely so far.

Phew, What a day.

A colleague at work was able to procure a turf cutting machine for a fraction of the normal cost.  It's not what you know, it's who you know I guess.  Anyway, I needed to clear an area 15' x 45' of turf for the new poly-tunnel.  The machine arrived first thing this morning.  Luckily I have a couple of none-contact lessons on Monday morning, so I was able to utilise this time getting to grips with this contraption.  What an inovation!  After a few initial gripes learning the idiosyncrasies of the machine, it was full steam ahead.

With the invaluable assistance of William and Ashley (Post 16 students) we cut, rolled and lifted the entire area before lunch.  Without the turf cutting machine, this would probably have taken weeks.  Anyone wishing to shift a significant amount of turf should take heed,  Get a turf-cutter.  Makes the job so much quicker.  It's still hard work, very hard work, but gets the job done in a fraction of the time.

I got into teaching to escape hard work.  My body is aching, my hands are dirty and my back is sore.  Time to break-out the Radox.  What the heck, the job got done.

Checked the pond this morning.  Was so pleased to see Mr Newt swimming about, flamboyant in his breeding season attire, crest et-al.  Didn't see Mrs Newt though.  Hopefully she's busy laying eggs in the weeds, or maybe she's bashful.  The frogspawn seems to be developing well and hopefully, within the next few days, the tadpoles will hatch.

Time to pour a well earned glass of wine, and run the bath.