Next Steps

After the successful completion of two projects, the question is - "What next for Sowing the Seed?" Well, we would of course like to continue. And we have already had three requests to run projects next year. We have been busy making funding applications to various organisations. The idea is that we recruit and train volunteers so that the project can be disseminated with minimal cost. Also we are preparing all the resources so that teachers can run the experiments themselves, with some guidance and support from Good Gardeners where necessary.

Keep you fingers crossed, and watch this space!

Horton, Finale 17th July

Well, the big day came at last to Horton. With lots of enthusiam the children dug and weighed the potatoes, at some points digging the potatoes out with their hands!

We cooked the potatoes while the pupils explained to Matt Adams (Director of the Good Gardeners) what exactly they had been doing over the past few months.

The potatoes were taken all around the school and every pupil and member of staff tried them! The results of the blind taste test were conclusive: most people preferred the flavour of the no-dig potatoes.

Well done to all the children.

Felting

The children at Horton spent one session creating some soil creatures out of felt.


The first stage - laying out the background.








Next stage - adding the detail.









Rolling to harden the felt









The finished creatures.









The finished wallhanging!

Minsterworth - Taste Test! 16th July 2008

Finally the big day came! After 14 weeks of measuring, weeding, drawing, writing and singing it was time to harvest the crops. We were joined by Director of the Good Gardeners Association, Matt Adams, and Rob Rees "The Cotswold Chef".















The potatoes were dug with much enthusiasm and excitement. The children showed Rob, Matt and Mrs Ritchie (the Head at Minsterworth) what they had been working on.

Then we all tasted the cooked potatoes and made our decisions as to our favourite. The "Dig" bed came out narrowly as favourite with the children, the adults preferring the (earthier?) flavour of the no-dig bed.

Thank you Minsterworth for the fun Fridays and hope to see you for more growing adventures in the future!

Horton, 1st July 2008

We have now done enough measurements to plot the data. We are also getting ready for the great taste testing which should be happening in two weeks time. Barny Houghton from the sustainable restaurant "Bordeaux Quay" in Bristol is coming to visit us for this!





We spent a while this week weeding and tending the plants, as the bindweed is enjoying the nourishing soil too.








Couldn't resist including this to give a hint of the glorious setting of Horton - lucky children!

Minsterworth 27th June "We are what we eat"

Last time the children had fun eating apricots and seaweed as we found out more about how "we are what we eat"... This time they made pictures of themselves out of good things to eat - rice and beans, noodles and lentils. They also made some lovely little pictures to makes signs for the two growing beds: better late than never!

Recent comments about our project

“I love doing the different things…making felt creatures, the science parts…” 9 year old Horton

“The science! I loved the soil separation experiement.” 8 year old, Horton

"I love working with you!" 6 year old, Minsterworth

“It’s great that the children get such a diversity of activities. They love it.” Teacher, Horton

“The project is very interesting, I’ll keep watching the blog.” Charles Dowding, horticultural author

“Your project looks interesting. I’d love to visit.” Rob Rees, the “Cotswold Chef”

Minsterworth growing experiments 13th June

Today the children learned a new song and all had a go at pretending to be the wind, a mill, a miller, or a baker! Lots of fun.

"Blow, wind, blow, and go, mill, go
That the miller may grind the corn
And the baker may take it and into bread make it
And bring us a loaf in the morn."

We also did some measuring and comparing. Following on from last week the children showed what amazing memories they have and between them remembered ALL the items we discussed in the session about composting. They then drew healthy and unhealthy compost bins. Finally we set up an experiment growing carrots in sand / soil dug by moles / undug soil / garden centre bagged compost. All the children reckoned that the garden centre compost would be most successful - we'll have to wait and see!

Horton Measuring and composting - 12th June 2008

Again, sorry no pics today - too busy working! We did a lot of measuring and the plants have grown enormously since last week.

Then we did the same exercise as at Minsterworth, looking at different objects and deciding whether or not they could go into a compost bin. Lots of good discussion. Finally we started a piece of art showing a "healthy system" and an "unhealthy system" - the results are amazing and I will take pics next week - watch this space!

Minsterworth consider compost 6th June 2008

No photos today, but the "no dig" potatoes are looking pretty healthy!The "no-dig" carrots ar doing better than the "dig" carrots, but all the lovely beans have been munched by the slugs.

We spent a lot of time discussing what can and cannot go into compost bins.

Wild times at Horton 3rd June

The plants have gone wild at Horton, over half term, especially the potatoes. Unfortunately it was so WET on Tuesday that we didn't stay out long enough to take any photos. But we did spend some time writing up the results of the jam jar experiment, and doing some word searches. Next week we're going to start looking at compost.

Sowing the Seed group looking happy despite the rain!

Soil Facts at Minsterworth 16th May 2008

Today at Minsterworth we talked about soil - how plants need a combination of things to grow. We measured the veggies. The non-dig bed is lagging behind - the potatoes in the dig bed are HUGE already. I reckon, judging by the amount of crockery we are digging up that the dig bed is on the site of an old domestic rubbish heap and that years of waste has enriched the soil splendidly.

We also did a soil separation test and will see how the layers settle next week.

We are pleased that Rob Rees, the "Cotwold Chef" has accepted our invitation to view our project in July.

Meauring up at Minsterworth 9/5/08

At last we have something to measure! A lonely pea and some tiny carrots! We did a short session on how to measure plants with rulers and then went out to record some facts. Were the plants happy? How tall were they?

Afterwards we finished our huge bean picture and added some details...like five suns and some green lightening.

What is soil? Horton 13/5/8

Today we did two experiments with soil. Firstly, we took soil samples from different areas of the garden and put them in jam jars with water. Next we shook them and then left them to settle. It was immediately clear that the different sized particles were separating out. We chose a good, safe spot outdoors and left them - we will check next week to see what has happened to the layers. THEN we got some more soil samples, wet them if they needed it and did soil-net's "Hand Texturing Experiement." Using their ID key we worked out what kinds of soil we had
at Horton. The children then did a really good job at discussing what soil is made from, and the need for many elements to be present to create a medium for plants to grow in. Good work!

Peas Please 25/4/8

Minsterworth spent some time thinking about how we can measure the differences between the plants in the different plots and enjoyed acting out farmers, healthy potatoes and really horrible sickly potatoes. We had lots of mad fun throwing imaginary potatoes around the room. Maybe you had to be there.



We then went outside and discovered that...NOTHING had grown yet. But we did set the worms free and plant on some peas I had grown in pots. One of the girls went snap happy with the camera so lots of pics for you this week!

Horton get all scientific

We spent a bit of time thinking about what science actually is...what makes science science! From that we talked about measuring the results of our experiments, and decided to create some record sheets. We also made some more labels for the Different plots.

When we checked in the garden, nothing had grown on the plots except weeds!!! Hopefully the warm weather will have an effect...

The group were given lots of options for an art session next time, and opted to learn how to create felt. We're going to try and make some felt pictures representing soil creatures.

Minsterworth plant some tatties 4/4/08

So today the 6 year olds got outside (in the fog) and we dug the "dig" bed and spread manure and compost on the "no dig " bed. They also found the longest worm I have ever seen, which deserved a picture of its own. The potatoes got planted, somewhat haphazardly. We tried a simple quiz, the most exciting part of which was drawing a picture with "roots and shoots". Some interesting interpretations including butterflies and pirates.



Here are the proud diggers and non-diggers!

Horton start planting outside 01/04/08

Today we discovered that the seeds we left in water have swelled and began to sprout. Quite exciting. Also looked at some seed potato which were sending forth some quite spectacular sprouts. We actually got into the garden and planted potatoes and peas in the three beds. not quite as scientifically as I would have hoped as it is quite hard to keep eyes on 7 enthusiastic children, but we shall see...

Minsterworth sow some seed at last! 28/3/08

Friday came and so did gales and rain. Unfortunately I had loaded the car with horse manure and compost Thursday night, and didn't fancy unpacking it again. So it got taken to Minsterworth despite the weather and duly deposited beside the new beds. The children were talking about "Sowing the Seed" in their School Council meeting.

As the weather was so lousy we spend some time looking at runner bean seeds, drawing them, singing about them and finally planting them (lots of floor sweeping necessary.) Oh yes, and we decided it would be a good idea to glue some soil on to the pictures for added realism...

Really hoping to get the beds finished next Friday and actually get some seeds in!

Horton - the beds are ready 26/3/08

Class 5 showed their muscle power! They took to the garden like ducks to water. We now have three fairly large trial plots. One was composted two months ago and dug. We have left that to its own devices. The next was also composted and dug two months ago but we have redug that. The third has not been dug since this time last year. So we covered it with 4 cm horse manure, and then 2 cm of municipal compost. This will be our "no-dig" bed.

We then tackled the compost heap. An explosive activity as a rotten orange exploded all over my head. Very funny. The compost was very slimy and not well rotted at all! Maybe the children can prepare a fact sheet about composting for Horton!

Minsterworth mud bath!

Friday the 14th March 2008


We decided to make the most of the beautiful sunny morning and began to dig the "Dig" plot. Some of the children got a bit carried away and also dug the molehills and playing field...We found lots of interesting life in the soil - big juicy worms, ants and eggs, larvae. Also lots of other bits and bobs including pottery, coal, old crushed glass etc leading us to think that we had stumbled across an old rubbish heap belonging to one of the houses nearby.

Next time we hope to bring wood and compost and get the "no dig" bed up and running.

Watch this space!

Worm-fest at Horton

Today was our first session with the children at Horton. Years 4 and 5 were fearless when it came to holding the (very wriggly) worms! We set up a wormery to explore how important worms are in mixing and aereating soils.

We also took a look at a teaspoon of soil and had some guesses at the amount of micro-organisms present (something like 6 billion!)

The children are all keen to start digging, and not digging, and growing! Their favourite veg are carrots, tomatoes, runner beans, cucumbers amd peas so hopefully we'll have some of these for them to taste in June.

Next week we'll be setting up the plots and taking a closer look at soils.

National Science and Engineering Week

This runs from 7 - 16 March 2008. Whilst we are not arranging any formal event for this, we are starting the project in both schools during NSEW. We are hoping that next year we will be able to deliver a more formal event open to more people.
Find out more about NSEW week here.

Schools Confirmed

For now we have two schools taking part in the project. We are working on funding so that next year those others that have expressed interest will be able to be involved.

Horton CE VA Primary, South Gloucestershire, already embraces many health-driven initiatives, including walking to school, composting, walking clubs. Its small garden is already established, but the head teacher is happy for us to rearrange the garden to allow for our experiments! We have a weekly timetabled slot with about 8 pupils.

Minsterworth Primary, Gloucestershire, also has an existing garden and lots of parental support. We hope to fit into the Science curriculum there, with lots of opportunities for learning about the soil through nature art!

Pilot Project

Images from the Pilot Project







Looking after the seeds









Comparing peas in different growing media

Sowing the Seed Project

This year, 2008, we have been given funding by the Ernest Cooke Trust to extend a recent pilot scheme.

The aim is to introduce children to the idea that our treatment of soil alters the nutritional quality of the food we grow in it. This in turn has an effect on our health and the health of the planet.

This links in with many aspects of the National Curriculum and many current national iniatives.

The project is very flexible and has been run with KS 1 - 3 and in Steiner Waldorf schools. We provide a hands-on learning experience where the children have responsibility for their learning.

So what actually happens? Once a school has agreed to join the project, we meet with the lead person to establish timetables, ages groups etc. For schools with existing gardens we decide on the location of the experiment, for schools without plots we bring in boxes and soil.

There is an introductory lesson with the children which involves looking (and feeling) real soils, finding out about worms and other life in the soil, and depending on the age of the children involved, songs and art.

After that there we visit regularly to help children to prepare, plant and tend seeds. This is done with a variety of soils and types of gardening. For example, one plot with no soil preparation at all, one traditionally double dug with compost incorporated, and one with no digging, but with a good layer of compost added on top.

Children are encouraged to observe and measure the progress of the plants. They will be able to taste the final produce and then draw their own conclusions about the health and vitality of the various trials. For KS3 children there may be the opportunity to have the results scientifically analysed to compare levels of nutrients very precisely.

We will provide all the necessary resources to run this project and have access to nutritionists, scientists and environmentalists to support where needed.

For further information please contact

Jane Renton on jrenton@zoom.co.uk
or Matt Adams on mattcadams@tiscali.co.uk