Recycled bottle birdfeeders

The weather is fantastic at the moment but we still need to make preparations for the cold days ahead.  We made some bird feeders with recycled bottles.  We filled them with peanuts and hung them in the trees.  Watch this pace for more autumn projects.

Salad days

It’s been a lovely hot summer which has been great for growing.  We have harvested potatoes, tomatoes, french beans, broad beans, string beans, peas, courgettes, beetroot, salad, herbs, onions, garlic, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries and edible flowers including nasturtiums, cornflowers, borage and marigolds.  We enjoyed a bumper summer salad and were particularly impressed with our rainbow beetroot.

All about the bees

It’s been a busy summer at Kids Club.  In July our wildflowers were in full bloom and the kids enjoyed learning about how important insects are in our garden.  We made Bumble Bee crowns to celebrate summer.

Elderflower lemonade, wildflowers and strawberries

Our wildflower garden is looking luscious even though it is only just beginning to burst into flower.  We have a number of edible flowers which we hope to try as well as some very Bee happy varieties.  We have an Elderberry bush in the corner of the garden so decided to try to make some Elderflower cordial which the kids just loved.

Recipe

Pint of water

Four heads of elderflowers in full bloom

1kg of castor sugar

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Juice of two lemons (can add the grated rind for more punch if required)

We dissolved the sugar in the water on the stove and added the lemon juice.  Once it had cooled slightly we added the flower heads and vinegar. We left it to infuse for 15 mins before sieving and then mixing with either fizzy or still water to taste and lots of ice. Delicious –  and all washed down with the first of our strawberry harvest.

 

 

Worms, tall tall sunflowers and sweetcorn

Our worms deserved some attention last week so we indulged them with some cardboard, vegetable peelings and dock leaves.  The last of our sunflowers were planted and we filled the last remaining space in the garden with some baby sweetcorn.

Fabulous Fundraiser

We had a brilliant day last Sunday hosting a fabulous Fundraiser and Open Day.  The weather was kind to us and lots of people came along to support us.  Our photos show some of the many helpers making the day such a success.  Activities included growing salads in salad boxes, making recycled bottle flowers and badges and foraged flower pancakes.  The cakes and drinks stall was a winner and the kids loved storytelling with Mrs Mash.  Thanks to everyone for a great day.

Bird scarers, monsters and rainbow beetroot

Our peas and beans are starting to flower so we decorated CD’s and hung them from our wigwams to keep the birds from eating them. The kids were also very busy transplanting our tomatoes and cucumber to the polytunnel growbags.  We are especially excited about our Rainbow Beetroot and are looking forward to seeing their brightly coloured stems growing.  As a reward for such hard work, we made some clay garden monsters with some fabulous results.