Gardening Club Every Monday lunchtime in the Harborne Primary School Secret Garden September 2013 Aileen Degri

1. Gardening ClubEvery Monday lunchtime in the Harborne Primary School Secret GardenSeptember 2013 Aileen Degri.

2. Our popular Gardening Club! We are very lucky at Harborne Primary School to have as part of our school grounds, an original, walled Victorian Secret Garden, complete with pond. Classes visit the garden to enrich Science, Art and Forest School lessons. In addition to that the Gardening club meets once a week throughout the year to enjoy a range of gardening activities and keep the secret garden and other beds and tubs maintained. Last year was a fantastic year for Club. We really achieved a lot. 42 children got involved over the three terms and received certificates for their gardening achievements.

3. Gardening Club is open to Year 4 and 5 children. Membership is limited to a manageable number and our club list is full at the moment, but any pupil wishing to join when there is a space can put their name on the waiting list.

4. There is always something going on in our pond. Everyone wants to come and see the tadpoles hatching from frogspawn in the Spring and during the Summer we often find frogs hiding under leaves when we are weeding!

5. When we go to Gardening Club we have lots of fun! “Some of the things we did last year at gardening club were; planting potatoes, beetroot and lettuce seeds. We also planted out lots of bedding plants and flowers in tubs. We always water the plants and sometimes we clear the weeds from the pond with a rake to help the frogs. Once we made a sweet pea cage and planted sweet peas in it. It is near the school entrance and they are still flowering. Another job we do is rake and sweep the pathways. There is always weeding to be done and the weeds go into composting boxes at the back of the garden. We put leaves in one, twigs in another and weeds in the last one. Recently we took down the ivy from a rotten, horrid fence which became too old and dangerous. So there is always something to do and the jobs are always fun!” By Lucy Barrell and Leya Mann now in 5V.

6. Gardening club members ...you are welcome to eat your packed lunches in the secret garden at the start of Gardening club.

7. Volunteers are very welcome As always we need willing adult helpers to supervise the children. Volunteers need to be DBS (previously CRB) checked. The Disclosure and Barring Service application form can be completed on-line. Our office staff can advise you if you have any queries. Gardening Club is on at Monday lunchtimes from 12.30pm – 1.30pm. If anyone would like to become involved this term for 1 hour a week, even if it’s not every week, please see one of the adults regularly involved; Miss Degri (Year 4 teacher), Donna Davies, Dave Brand and Fiona Thrush. It is very rewarding time spent. The children are very enthusiastic and get a lot out of it. Gardeningexpertise is not needed, we welcome anyone who is interested!

8. Future plans and big ideas! • We would like to replace the old, wooden fence at the back of the garden. • A fund raising event is being organised by Donna Davies to generate money for garden repairs and new projects. • We would like to plant bee-friendly flowers to help local bee populations and encourage even more insect life into our garden. • We would like to sow and grow vegetables next Spring in raised beds with the hope of harvesting to enjoy eating! • (This links in to the government’s new school curriculum which includes growing vegetables, cooking and eating healthy foods.)

9. A big thank you ... We have been very fortunate over the last few years in receiving donations of compost, aprons, seeds, plants and tools from generous companies, organisations and individuals. Thanks also to the adult volunteers who have given their time and energy. It has always been very much appreciated.