I declare this pre-school garden... OPEN!

Well, at long last, we began the pre-school gardening club today.  I survived it (just) but I was channelling Joyce Grenfell most of the time ("George, don't do that").

The pre-school staff took pity on me, only sending out six children at a time and with at least one of them in tow.

I learnt a few things...

1) a five-minute attention-span would be a luxury

2) the difference between a two-year-old and a three-year-old is akin to the difference between The Weakest Link and Mastermind

3) never give a seed to a child and expect it still to be in their hand 30 seconds later

4) if anyone under four sees a watering can, whatever you are saying will only be heard as "pick up that watering can and pour as though your life depends on it"

5) plant labels come out of the ground even easier than they go in - and rarely return to the same place

Still, on the whole, it was a success.  We planted up the blueberry, apple mint and peas from Victoriana Nursery Gardens as well as some Nasturtiums and red onion sets I'd bought. 

I think I will plant up the Cosmic Carrots and cut and come again lettuce myself.  This size of seed combined with the current strong winds doesn't bode well for my mini gardeners.

Now I just hope things grow - especially given the shady nature of our plot.  The children have already started waving to their seeds from the pre-school window which must help - surely...

Comments

[Rhiannon]

It looks fantastic. It doesn't get better with age points 3,4 & 5 all apply in the school gardening club I help with. We have rogue raddish appearing all over the raised bed and the children think they get extra points if they manage to water an adults feet.

[Karen - An Artist's Garden]

An enchanting read .... takes me back
K

[Victoria Scott]

Hilarious!! I can just picture it :)

[Dawn Isaac]

Pleased to hear I'm not the only one dealing with the little darlings and their 'unique' charms!