Produce Galore



Photo (Left back) Olivia McMillan, 9, Esther Currie, 9, Rachael Turner, 9, Frances Bote, 10, Brooklyn Neumann, 9, ( front left) Bethany Coghlan, 9, and Alex Pardoe- Burnett show off some of the vegetables they have harvested from the community garden at Mossburn School.

Young keen gardeners at Mossburn School have been rewarded for their efforts  put in during the last term of 2012, by having their crops produce way beyond their expectations. Their garden based on permaculture and no-dig principles is flourishing with radishes, huge heads of broccoli and lettuces maturing over the holidays. They harvested some last week and had a lot of pleasure giving them to their teachers as a thank you for being such great teachers and helpers.

The teachers are keen to learn the technique from the students so they can have a productive vegetable garden as well. The students have appreciated the advice, interest  and helpfulness of several grandparents who have come to help over the season.

The pupils agreed that with the rain over the holidays and some watering, the vegetables have grown very fast, with carrots, peas, beans, potatoes, pumpkins, strawberries and rhubarb all coming ready soon. The no- dig method means there are very few weeds and the compost, animal manures and pea straw topping have ensured a rich soil and moist environment to bring them their success.   
‘’It is so green and it is good we have grown more food to give to others,’’ young gardener Alex Pardoe- Burnett said.