We are taking part in the Incredible Edible Project. This project received funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council to support ‘food in the community’ projects.
Mrs Dapney of Stranraer Community Gardeners, came to our school today, accompanied by two gentlemen from the council to help us plant an orchard of fruit trees. We had different varieties of dessert and crab apple trees, plum and pear.
This project provides opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. As part of Social Studies, the boys and girls are exploring how we can live in more environmentally friendly ways, caring for the environment. Additionally, fitting in with our science experiences and outcomes, the children learned what these trees need in order to grow and survive. They children discovered how each sapling is actually grown from two trees. The fruit tree variety is grafted on to the root system of a quince tree as the quince has a stronger root base, making a healthier plant.
We talked about the importance of bees in pollinating the flowers on the fruit trees to allow fruit to grow. These trees will help support our bee polulation, supporting our Eco Schools biodiversity target.
Everyone got stuck in, planting the trees, taking care to cover the root system with soil. The children then turned the removed turf upside down and repositioned it so that the tree and the grass are not competing for moisture.
After a good watering from the council supplied bowser, the boys and girls stood back and admired the ‘fruits of their labours’. Hopefully, in one to two years, we should see some success and be able to enjoy a harvest of different fruits.
Thank you to the two council gentlemen who helped do the hard work of digging the holes. Thank you also to Mrs Dampney for organising this lovely project.
We are supporting biodiversity.
Have a look at the fun we had:
# Effective Contributors.
