MYTON PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL GARDENING PROJECT.                               Autumn Term 2017

The first half of the Autumn term has been very productive with all years 1 to 6 taking part.
In the Orchard, our single plum tree provided over 20lbs of plums, which will provide a
considerable amount of chutney being made by the PTA for sale at the Christmas Fair.
Unfortunately the plums had to be picked during the main school holidays before they dropped from the tree. Our apple trees bore a plentiful supply, half of which were sold after school in the playground, with the other half being eaten by years 3 to 6.
Runner beans, tomatoes, radishes, onions, lettuces, cucumbers, broad beans and sweetcorn have been successfully grown but unfortunately most were ready during the school holidays and they were donated to Thornaby food bank.
A considerable amount of garlic (4 varieties) have been planted, which should be ready for the
Summer Fayre next June. Our garlic produced last year sold out so quickly we have planted many more cloves this year.
We continue to attend weaving the willows around the outdoor class room, with years 4, 5,& 6.
Currently our leeks are looking first class and along with many strawberry plants and hopefully a supply of new potatoes being grown for the first time, will be available for sale at the Christmas fair.
During the final 3 weeks of the first half of term, we have planted further daffodils in wooden
raised beds around the trees on the high ground adjacent to the playground, half kindly donated by B & Q, with the rest purchased at reduced price.
The second half of term greatly depends on the weather – there are further bulbs to be planted and a new herb wheel donated by B & Q to set up.

HELPERS REQUIRED
We are desperate for additional help – if parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts or indeed anyone connected with the school, could spare us an hour or two it would help immensely.
If anyone can spare some time please hand in your details to the Office and we will contact you.
Gardening times are Tuesday, 9.00 to 10.30am and Thursday 1.00 to 3.00pm. You do not have to commit to every week.

Many thanks   Keith Coles  (AKA Keith the Gardener)

MYTON PARK GARDENING PROJECT                               AUTUMN TERM 2017   (PART 2)

At the Christmas Fair on 2 Dec ember, we sold all of the new potatoes, leeks, onions and many strawberry plants. Thank you to the parents who bought them – we raised a further £11.50 towards our seed purchases for next year.
When the weather has allowed since half term, we finished planting the remaining daffodil bulbs, we have planted various herbs in our 2nd herb wheel. and generally tidied up our gardening area.We have also been busy with years 5 & 6 picking up 2 large black bags of litter in the trees and shrubs located along the side of our sports field and in the orchard & pond areas together with the woods alongside the public footpath.
At the same time we collected dead tree branches and made 5 large heaps to make safe areas for smaller animals during the winter months.
The gardening project has now been closed down for the winter months –   we will restart on 20th February 2018 (weather permitting).
To all those who have helped during the past year, very many thanks –  we do need more volunteers for next year – please contact the school Office if you can help. 

Merry Christmas to all
Keith Coles (AKA Keith the Gardener)