Firstly the majority of seeds although much slower than their original expected timescales they have actually germinated. I have a butternut squash and a gourd as well as 3 out of 4 courgette plants. I have 9 out of 10 runner beans and all bar one of the Harlequins, the maskotska have a 50% germination rate and I will have to resow to get the 6 i need for the hanging baskets.
The peas have again been abysmal, i planted 50 Meteor and i have had 4 grow up, closer investigation has discovered the others rotted in the tub. I have started some Kelvedon Wonder on paper towels indoors which have now germinated, i am leaving them another day and will then try to transplant them.
Flower wise I have been quite successful, the sunflowers really need transplanting on tomorrow into larger tubs, they are dwarfs so I am going to plant some on in the greenhouse and the rest out in pots with some protection. I also have harebells, marigolds, lemon balm (slightly sickly but 1 is there), parsley (yippee!), and teh sweet peas are coming on in leaps and bounds looking really strong. I have also has some success with teh ones i planted directly outside around the old willow. Those ones are slower growing but with the weather we have had over teh last few days i am confident they'll be ok.
The crab apple is doingbrilliantly, a million and one blossoms, the vine, elstar eating apple and acer are also doing very well, as is the rose. The herbs are doing well and the honesty is bringing lots of bees.
Onto the other thing which has been brewing a while - I had my first Magic Garden placement this afternoon at a local primary school - here is the aim of the project which has been running since 1997.
"The aim of the Magic Gardens Project (MGP) is to promote the appreciation of quality food by providing knowledge of production. Our aim is to encourage the notion that to grow food yourself is surely one of the best things which can be introduced to children and adults alike. Staff at the Magic Gardens Project teach these values in primary schools and Sure Start centres through environmental education and practical gardening classes."Today I did spend most of my time weeding, and then assisting with the after school gardening club, the vegetable patch they have is really 'magic' and they have lots of different spaces to use such as the wildlife garden, the pond (with tadpoles), the bird hide and the open spaces. As I have mentioned before I am interested in Forest Schools and although the time isn;t right for me to go further down that path I think the Magic Gardens project will go some way to letting me learn about children and the way they learn in an outdoor environment.
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