Spooky Squashes!

With halloween looming, we decided to have some spooky squash fun.

After sampling some butternut squash muffins, the children headed outside to decorate their pumpkins. So that our handiwork would last longer, we chose to paint rather than carve our pumpkins. The childrens designs included ghoulish ghosts, wicked witches and gruesome grimaces!
When the designs were completed, they were put on display on the school field for all the children to see.

Pumpkin Facts.

Pumpkins are members of the squash family. There are dozens of varieties of squash. These can be divided into two main categories:

Winter Squash (with thick skins)

Such as Butternut Squash, Blue Banana, Boston Squash, Flying Saucer, Rollit, Carnival, Fairytale, Turk's Cap, Spaghetti Squash and Pumpkins.

Summer Squash (with soft skins)

Such as courgettes, marrows, yellow crookneck, scallop and patty pans

What's in Season?

If you are wondering what produce is in season in October here is a list of fabulous fruit and vegetables at their peak at the moment:
Apples
Pears
Beetroot
Squash
Kale
Courgettes
Marrow

Pumpkins

Pumpkins aren't just great for Halloween, their fabulous orange flesh can be used to make a staggering array of sweet and savoury dishes. Here are a few recipes to get you started: http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/RecipeProducts.aspx?Product=pumpkin

First Garden Club Meeting

The members of Fagley gardening club met for the first time today.

We talked about what the children would like to do at the club. Growing veggies and creating wildlife habitats were popular choices.

After a few seasonal healthy snacks, we ventured out into the drizzly courtyard to sow some trays of salad leaves and cress. Some of the children also helped us to erect as mini greenhouse to protect our delicate little seeds.

Although it was a nice sheltered area to work in, having to de-boot before cutting back through the classroom was not ideal.
So we may need to think of a way we can change between indoor and outdoor shoes more easily!

At the end of the first session, some of the children had a look through a selection of gardening books to find inspiration for suitable growing projects.

Next Tuesday we plan to do some activities with a Halloween flavour.. so watch this space....

Fagley Primary Gardening Club is born!!

As from 14th October the Fagley Primary Gardening Club will begin.

We had a great response to the invitations sent out for students to join the club.

In the first session we hope to look at seasonal produce and plant some winter salad leaves and herbs.

Future plans include starting a school wide composting scheme and creating feeders to help our feather friends through the winter months.