Hi everybody!

[VegGirl]

Having posted a question before introducing myself I thought it might be an idea to do that too. I'm a primary school teacher who's passionate about giving kids hands-on experiences and am trying hard to learn the basics of veg gardening so that I can do some in school with my 6 & 7 year olds as I feel it's really important for children to understand where their food comes from. Therefore I would really appreciate any advice that you all can give me to help me on my way to achieving this, however basic some of the questions might sound.
Thanks,
Jacey

[fivespud364]

Hi Jacey

If your thinking about doing it with the school this year is the perfect year to do it its the year of food and farming and there is all sorts going on to let kids know where there food comes from we have signed up for it to offer discounted veg plant packs to schools here is the link for their website

http://www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk/Default.aspx

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Jacey!! Welcome to our forum!!

Grow veggies at school is a great plan of yours and I'm sure the kids will enjoy watching the vegetables grow. The main vegetable growing season is in the summer when the school will be closed for holidays so you need to plan what you intend growing to make sure you can harvest veggies before the summer break.

Beans and courgettes are fast growing and will give the kids a harvest before the holidays but as you are in your second year of growing veggies I guess you know that already!!

[Nick the Grief]

Ahh that take me back ... Mr Jones was our Rural science teacher ... He bred Hamsters and Gerbils as well as teaching gardening. THe plot we used to use is now a staff car park ... sign of the times I guess but enough of my ramblings.

I would think that linking it to something else would be a good idea - growing primroses or Hyacynths for mothers day/Easter (although Political Correctness may get in the way),or how about getting you local supermarket to give you a load of black flower buckets and then they could grow there own spud plant or tomato.

[VegGirl]

Thanks everybody for all your ideas. I'm also thinking of combining gardening and recycling in a competition over Easter for the children with a 'Wackiest Recycled Container' competition. Could they grow something other than cress in say a kettle or watering can? Should I give them certain dimensions for courgettes or something else that they can see grow and mature between end of April and mid July? Again any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks, Jacey

[Lesley Jay]

I read a lot of blogs and I know I have seen one where a cherry tomato plant was grown in a baked bean tin, but I can't remember which one it was! Compared to a tomato plant grown in a normal sized container it didn't grow anywhere near as big but still gave a harvest of cherry tomatoes.

The most obvious thing I can think of instead of cress is salad leaves. You get a bag of mixed salad leaf varieties so they are really colourful. The children could start the vegetables off at school - sow the seeds and then take a good sized vegetable seedling / plant home to plant in a container. That way the veggies could be harvested all through the summer.

The usual recommended size for containers is 10 inches in diameter and about 12 inches deep. You should be able to pick french beans in July and you can get dwarf varieties which should be fine in a small pot or one of your wacky containers. Kenyan Safari is a variety that I grow. Beetroot, broad beans and baby carrots would also be ready in July.

With tomatoes I would be inclined to grow one suitable for hanging baskets, like Tumbling Tom and send the plant home as July is a bit early so they can be harvested all summer. There is no need to side shoot these. Maybe try turning a baked bean tin into a hanging tin?

Peas would be ready - Kelvendon Wonder is an early variety but if you get a visit from the pea moth then the pods will have maggots in them. Not nice!

Courgettes would need a 10 inch container and you should get some courgettes before the holidays. Although if you send the courgette plants home they can be harvested all summer long. Remember to wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting the vegetables outside. Broad beans are okay as they are hardy and carrots are okay.

As Nick said get free flower containers from your supermarket to save money.

Sorry this was a long winded reply!