Wildflower Seed Planting
Following on from our previous blog, we set up our outdoor area for a socially distanced workshop with the Head Gardener, Jack, from the Stornoway Trust. There was a table top area for Jack to show us what we were going to be doing and the children sat on chairs and mats to watch.
Jack told us the names of the seeds (including the “Hairy Vetch” which caused some hilarity!) and talked us through how to fill the trays and sow the seeds. Jack also provided us with some plants and pots to create our own miniature gardens. The children then split into 2 groups and went with the staff to get started.
The children engaged brilliantly – they were interested and enthusiastic and got stuck straight in. They helped to scoop soil, patted it down into the trays, poked holes with their fingers and scattered seeds throughout. They also helped to dig out space for re-potting the plants for the miniature gardens.
Here are some of the comments from children:
“It’s going to grow ginormous”
“Hairy Mummy Vetch”
“We’re planting”
“Me and my friend* are growing something”
“We are planting”
*Child mentioned their friend’s name but this cannot be included for the purposes of this blog
Jack made up some labels for the “Hairy Vetch”, “Yarrow”, “Cornflower” and “Bishops flower” and the children put them into the correct trays with a little support.
We have set aside the pots and the children have all been participating in caring for the pots and plants, watering them and checking them to see any changes. Some of the trays now have seedlings sprouting through the soil.
We are going to do a further follow-up Wildflower activity once the wildflowers are ready to be re-planted out into the Castle Grounds. So keep an eye on this blog for further news on that!
