All this talk about Child Poverty in New Zealand, and how it impacts on child health etc... well its had us (in the Parents Group) all thinking about how we could help in our own community.
I had a look around my garden and realized I have far too many lettuces for us to eat - so what to do with them?
How could I share them with the school, and make it available to everyone. Or, should I just take them to the food bank and be done with it...?
I took an idea to school this morning, then to Parents coffee group, and wah-la! We now have a plan.
These ladies are AWESOME, and between 8-10 of us, they can brainstorm like you wouldnt believe (we are also organizing the school end of year event!)
Next week we are having Healthy Sandwich Day.
It is a fund-raiser, ($1.50 a sandwich) that hopefully, will generate some cash for the Parents Group to continue their future projects, feed our children something healthy and inexpensive, and extend teaching to the children about what is healthy and acceptable to eat - they're already having *No-Wrapper Wednesday* which sounds great...
NO-WRAPPER WEDNESDAY
The challenge there, to the children (and parents) is to have lunches that are wholesome and contain no extra wrappings such as chip packets, muesli-bar wrappers etc. (Prizes will be given!)
So we are having Healthy Sandwich Day and all our parents at our coffee group are donating the requirements to make them, and giving their time to butter bread, grate carrots and shred lettuce etc...
It is all being done to celebrate 5-plus-a-day Month.
Again, Im amazed and happy to see the forward-thinking that happens at Linwood North Primary School.
The teachers, the community and the parents care, and it makes so much difference to the children attending school to see this in action!
Hopefully if things go well, it will become a regular event throughout the school term!
Better move along,
Lunch is over and Ive got some weeding to be done :)
Til next time,
EBUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Showing posts with label lettuce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lettuce. Show all posts
Monday, November 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Great Gardening, lots growing!
What great gardening weather here in Christchurch this week. A shame, I havent been out there a lot this week. Monday saw us out and about in Rangiora, which made for a very interesting and fun day. Its a pretty little place, and we had a good look around, the children had a swim and did some fun activities, theres a neat skate park out there too... must go again!
Tuesday wasnt so quiet either. We had coffee morning with the community group, which is always neat. We got together and had coffee at Allshots, a brilliant little place for intimate chats and divine coffee (and chocolates that are handmade!) It ended all too soon, and of course, we wont be back together until after the school holidays. I almost cant wait :)
The children had their Duffy books show, and some awards were given. The Garden Children and I planted out some potatoes, and put in the raspberries, a boysenberry and I weeded around the beds. The children have also planted 40 corn seeds. I hope they go well, room 2 this morning planted their sunflowers next door, as companions. And their beans are already scaling up the wire fence. Yay! Theyve been having a race to see whose bean grew fastest. Im happy to report, all seeds grew, not a one missed which is awesome.
No sad faces :) They were very good at planting their plants and now have something to check in the garden when they get back from holidays.
I notice we have a sneaky lettuce muncher (or 2) in our midst. Possibly snails, I think. Theyve not missed a one, but thats ok, we can replace them if they dont rally! We thought last time it was hail stone damage. This time, I think its snails. Time for the good old beer trap.
Have taken some time to do some gardening at home seeing I have the afternoon to myself. It has been a really nice day, and the rain did threaten to spit earlier, but its backed off again. It is a really grey sky, but quite high and still warm. Love it. Perfect for planting out some of the lavender cuttings, have put out the borage seedlings too, and some of the new berry plants are ready for sale. I have about a dozen red and black currants that *took* and are growing well. Have sown quite a number of tomatoes. Not bothered as much this year, will take it as it comes. Have tried a couple of new varieties, but also sowing for over the road too.
Tomatoes for this year - Yellow Pear, Reisentraube, Guernsey, Black Krim, Sungold, Tommy Toe, Black Cherry, Red Brandywine, Russian Red, Moneymaker, Black Zebra, White Cherry, Black from Tula, Albenga Oxheart and when I get some seed, some yellow Brandywine and Large White.
The raspberries are threatening to take over, so Ive potted up some of those. I think a market might be a good idea for selling them. The strawberries are generally all flowering. The plants are not as big as I had thought they would be, but the flowers are definitely bigger than last year. All except the little white Alpine strawberry. It is sulking, and wont be doing much until it gets a bit warmer, Im thinking. I hope it doesnt die, its Miss 6s favourite plant, and she loves the taste of the fruit.
Well thats it for me,
Hope your School holidays are happy ones, if you have them.
Take care,
Happy Gardening
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Tuesday wasnt so quiet either. We had coffee morning with the community group, which is always neat. We got together and had coffee at Allshots, a brilliant little place for intimate chats and divine coffee (and chocolates that are handmade!) It ended all too soon, and of course, we wont be back together until after the school holidays. I almost cant wait :)
The children had their Duffy books show, and some awards were given. The Garden Children and I planted out some potatoes, and put in the raspberries, a boysenberry and I weeded around the beds. The children have also planted 40 corn seeds. I hope they go well, room 2 this morning planted their sunflowers next door, as companions. And their beans are already scaling up the wire fence. Yay! Theyve been having a race to see whose bean grew fastest. Im happy to report, all seeds grew, not a one missed which is awesome.
No sad faces :) They were very good at planting their plants and now have something to check in the garden when they get back from holidays.
I notice we have a sneaky lettuce muncher (or 2) in our midst. Possibly snails, I think. Theyve not missed a one, but thats ok, we can replace them if they dont rally! We thought last time it was hail stone damage. This time, I think its snails. Time for the good old beer trap.
Have taken some time to do some gardening at home seeing I have the afternoon to myself. It has been a really nice day, and the rain did threaten to spit earlier, but its backed off again. It is a really grey sky, but quite high and still warm. Love it. Perfect for planting out some of the lavender cuttings, have put out the borage seedlings too, and some of the new berry plants are ready for sale. I have about a dozen red and black currants that *took* and are growing well. Have sown quite a number of tomatoes. Not bothered as much this year, will take it as it comes. Have tried a couple of new varieties, but also sowing for over the road too.
Tomatoes for this year - Yellow Pear, Reisentraube, Guernsey, Black Krim, Sungold, Tommy Toe, Black Cherry, Red Brandywine, Russian Red, Moneymaker, Black Zebra, White Cherry, Black from Tula, Albenga Oxheart and when I get some seed, some yellow Brandywine and Large White.
The raspberries are threatening to take over, so Ive potted up some of those. I think a market might be a good idea for selling them. The strawberries are generally all flowering. The plants are not as big as I had thought they would be, but the flowers are definitely bigger than last year. All except the little white Alpine strawberry. It is sulking, and wont be doing much until it gets a bit warmer, Im thinking. I hope it doesnt die, its Miss 6s favourite plant, and she loves the taste of the fruit.
Well thats it for me,
Hope your School holidays are happy ones, if you have them.
Take care,
Happy Gardening
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
After our fantastic Electrical storm and the thunder and lightening displays over the city the other night, yesterday was another good day, the weather was perfect for gardening. Between the enthusiasm of the little people and the planning we had done earlier, our garden turned into something pretty fantastic in just an exuberant hour.
7 or 8 helpers have planted Sage, Rosemary (upright) and Thyme, Chives, 2 Lavenders (grosso) and 5 strawberries (chandler) and about 40 lettuces! (Buttercrunch, Drunken Woman and Austrian Greenleaf frilled) The children really enjoy helping, but as one pointed out, Weeding is Boring, so the planting is the best thing.
A liberal composting ( horse poo), a sprinkle of blood and bone, a check of the bokashi units, and a flick over with the hose, and they look like theyre at home!
Today is a bit greyer, but the atmosphere is warm, a light breeze. I heard this morning they expect the wind to be a problem later but for now, its really pleasant, and very nice to have all the windows open, and the doors secure so the house airs out. Its SPRING! Definitely has that feeling about it. Time to throw things out, dust things off, and plant like crazy!?
Weve been making soup today - using up all the ends of the vegetables in the freezer, including the last of our tomatoes from last season. Apparently it tastes great... I asked the peeler of the carrots, and she reckons its good...
On to using up the lemons and oranges. We have sewing group tomorrow, so we are going to take some soup and lemon cupcakes IF WE GET THEM MADE in time... Theres a little procrastination going on, I think Miss would rather go for a walk to feed the ducks :)
Who can blame her, the River walk is always interesting, and we are looking at the moment to see if the ducks have ducklings... Its the cute factor.
Have just looked in on the citrus (we now have 9 trees) and Im really pleased to say, they all survived the Winter ( is it over yet?). I thought I had a problem, but the one that had dropped all its leaves has started with new growth everywhere, after my fussing over it. Its great news, as it was our favourite, The Clementine mandarins, which are easy-peel and taste fantastic.
The *Mother* Garden is full and looking promising. It is the shaded garden where my comfrey grows in abundance. I have built up the soil, and mulch with my grass clippings in there. Then I pick bits and pieces off where I can, and place them into the soil to let them root ( no rooting hormone, just fingers crossed!) It works, and Im pleased to say, this year I will have a few extra currants - unknown as to what colour at this stage, but theyre all welcome. I also noticed the cuttings from the hydrangeas are taking too. Again, not sure on what colour, but theyre going back into my own area, or over in the school maybe, so it doesnt matter about colour at this stage.
SEWING GROUP
Tomorrow Im meeting with a few other community Mums to do some sewing, knitting (or other crafts) and have morning tea together. Im really looking forward to it - its a morning that Im putting aside just so I can get some knitting or sewing done, it never seems that I get enough achieved when I try to do so here at home...And it gives me a heads up on getting some christmas presents made or started, so I can have them done well before December. Ahh to be organized!
Anyone local want to come, youre most welcome...drop me a note below for details!
Well that is what we are up to, it looks like we are going for that walk, Miss has got herself organized.
So, no cupcakes just now. Maybe later :)
Love to You and Yours,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXX
.jpg) |
| Drunken Women Lettuce |
7 or 8 helpers have planted Sage, Rosemary (upright) and Thyme, Chives, 2 Lavenders (grosso) and 5 strawberries (chandler) and about 40 lettuces! (Buttercrunch, Drunken Woman and Austrian Greenleaf frilled) The children really enjoy helping, but as one pointed out, Weeding is Boring, so the planting is the best thing.
A liberal composting ( horse poo), a sprinkle of blood and bone, a check of the bokashi units, and a flick over with the hose, and they look like theyre at home!
Today is a bit greyer, but the atmosphere is warm, a light breeze. I heard this morning they expect the wind to be a problem later but for now, its really pleasant, and very nice to have all the windows open, and the doors secure so the house airs out. Its SPRING! Definitely has that feeling about it. Time to throw things out, dust things off, and plant like crazy!?
Weve been making soup today - using up all the ends of the vegetables in the freezer, including the last of our tomatoes from last season. Apparently it tastes great... I asked the peeler of the carrots, and she reckons its good...
On to using up the lemons and oranges. We have sewing group tomorrow, so we are going to take some soup and lemon cupcakes IF WE GET THEM MADE in time... Theres a little procrastination going on, I think Miss would rather go for a walk to feed the ducks :)
Who can blame her, the River walk is always interesting, and we are looking at the moment to see if the ducks have ducklings... Its the cute factor.
Have just looked in on the citrus (we now have 9 trees) and Im really pleased to say, they all survived the Winter ( is it over yet?). I thought I had a problem, but the one that had dropped all its leaves has started with new growth everywhere, after my fussing over it. Its great news, as it was our favourite, The Clementine mandarins, which are easy-peel and taste fantastic.
SEWING GROUP
Tomorrow Im meeting with a few other community Mums to do some sewing, knitting (or other crafts) and have morning tea together. Im really looking forward to it - its a morning that Im putting aside just so I can get some knitting or sewing done, it never seems that I get enough achieved when I try to do so here at home...And it gives me a heads up on getting some christmas presents made or started, so I can have them done well before December. Ahh to be organized!
Anyone local want to come, youre most welcome...drop me a note below for details!
Well that is what we are up to, it looks like we are going for that walk, Miss has got herself organized.
So, no cupcakes just now. Maybe later :)
Love to You and Yours,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXX
Monday, September 3, 2012
Exciting Day... Planning Stages
Today has been inspiring.
Great weather, the wind a little cool, but Ive been out with pen and paper doing some planning... It is looking good!
After meeting with Ann, I have some directives on what is required for the School garden, and we are starting with the children tomorrow to compost and plant. Cauliflower, Lettuce, Onion and Beetroot, Corn and Sunflowers, Cornflowers, French Dwarf beans, and Parisian baby carrots. These will go with what they had last season and some self-sown goodies, also a hearty looking rhubarb plant that could easily feed a class! There are plans for custard and rhubarb which can be cooked in the class kitchen areas - this school has an amazing setup!
My helpers and I will be planting thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, lavender, oh and strawberries, and weeding the class beds next week. We have plans to make pots ourselves, and the children are really keen to have a Sunflower growing competition! Russian Giants love compost, and can grow to 7 foot tall, so this is spurring them on!
Next year, it might be a pumpkin growing competition, that sounds like fun!?
We have one large feijoa tree at the edge of one of the beds, that needs a really good haircut (prune) and Im picking will not be any good until it has another couple of feijoa trees planted nearby, as it has not had fruit in the time it has been there, and it is a good size. Some of the newer feijoa varieties self pollinate, but I think this one does not.
I have a lone feijoa tree in my garden, so Im going to dig it up and replant it over there so we can produce some fruit if we are lucky!
There are plans to build up the soil and get regular plantings of easy and short-growing produce growing so the children can benefit from their garden. The second part of the plan includes longer term growing, such as pumpkins and squash, and berries, fruit trees etc. Ann has expressed an interest in having Chickens. It can be done, but not yet. It is something to work forward to.
The longer term is to have a self-sustaining community garden, but this is months/years away. The plans are underway, and talking to the Principal, they are very proactive.
We are talking about planting a variety of companion plants - herbs and flowers, and introducing permaculture ideas in as we can. A worm farm, and they have bokashi units and a compost heap already. It is exciting to see the wheels in motion!
Hope to include some photos of the area as it changes, but my camera ran out of battery power just as I took the first photo today. How typical is that?
Back into it,
Reading, Planning... Dreaming :-)
Love to You,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Great weather, the wind a little cool, but Ive been out with pen and paper doing some planning... It is looking good!
After meeting with Ann, I have some directives on what is required for the School garden, and we are starting with the children tomorrow to compost and plant. Cauliflower, Lettuce, Onion and Beetroot, Corn and Sunflowers, Cornflowers, French Dwarf beans, and Parisian baby carrots. These will go with what they had last season and some self-sown goodies, also a hearty looking rhubarb plant that could easily feed a class! There are plans for custard and rhubarb which can be cooked in the class kitchen areas - this school has an amazing setup!
My helpers and I will be planting thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, lavender, oh and strawberries, and weeding the class beds next week. We have plans to make pots ourselves, and the children are really keen to have a Sunflower growing competition! Russian Giants love compost, and can grow to 7 foot tall, so this is spurring them on!
Next year, it might be a pumpkin growing competition, that sounds like fun!?
We have one large feijoa tree at the edge of one of the beds, that needs a really good haircut (prune) and Im picking will not be any good until it has another couple of feijoa trees planted nearby, as it has not had fruit in the time it has been there, and it is a good size. Some of the newer feijoa varieties self pollinate, but I think this one does not.
I have a lone feijoa tree in my garden, so Im going to dig it up and replant it over there so we can produce some fruit if we are lucky!
There are plans to build up the soil and get regular plantings of easy and short-growing produce growing so the children can benefit from their garden. The second part of the plan includes longer term growing, such as pumpkins and squash, and berries, fruit trees etc. Ann has expressed an interest in having Chickens. It can be done, but not yet. It is something to work forward to.
The longer term is to have a self-sustaining community garden, but this is months/years away. The plans are underway, and talking to the Principal, they are very proactive.
We are talking about planting a variety of companion plants - herbs and flowers, and introducing permaculture ideas in as we can. A worm farm, and they have bokashi units and a compost heap already. It is exciting to see the wheels in motion!
Hope to include some photos of the area as it changes, but my camera ran out of battery power just as I took the first photo today. How typical is that?
Back into it,
Reading, Planning... Dreaming :-)
Love to You,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Banana Bread Morning - Flooding - Road Work!
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| http://www.facebook.com/RumiQuotes |
Despite our energetic Family soccer game this weekend, we got up early and made Banana bread. Nothing better to use up the *tired* browning bananas that noone likes!
RECIPE HERE - easy!
RECIPE HERE - easy!
No stiff limbs this week, just a yawn or two. It was toasty warm with the heat pump on and so banana bread just made getting up worthwhile. Little chick decided to snuggle in a bit later than usual, and it was only fleet footing that got us away on time. Cor, it was a different planet outside though... brrr.
We have a broken sewer main in the street, after another mid-street cave-in, we have our own bunch of fluro-vested Cave-in men to fix it... and their grotty caravan. It sits in the middle of the street - guess where - yeah, you got it, just opposite my drive way.
 |
| Our new purple sage |
Have you been watching the Olympics?
Its the closing ceremony today, and I think I might just get the chance to watch it. No point in going out to do much in the garden today... in fact, I see I have some surface flooding to deal with. I just might raise ducks... and if it continues, goldfish! :)
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| Tansy - the wandering companion to Raspberry |
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| Popular Red Poppy |
I have listed some more seeds, and we have made a whole lot more envelopes for the enslaught of new seeds that we are hoping to grow this season. I see the little poppies we grew last year successfully self-sowed, they were very pretty, white with deep crimson frilled edges. Fingers xed I can get them through to seeding this year, and save some!
I have some deep purple Liriope growing now, and it will look lovely under the fruit trees.
The frilled Austrian lettuce are popping up now, and the buttercrunch are settling in. Our broad beans are almost 40cm high, and I see the boysenberry has curled itself around the stakes, so it is well over six foot tall now... gulp. Im always nervous about planting things that grow *crazy* so I hope I can contain it.
Hope youre safe and warm,
Bee Gardening Happy
Love,
EButterfly
EButterfly
XXXXXX
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Cracking the Whip ... Sending Free Seeds!
Thanks to Sophie, Im just about to send the second wave of free SISTERHOOD seeds...
We still have lots left, so if you're reading this and you want some (NZ ONLY SORRY) We can send you a selection. You need to send us a wee note here DONT FORGET your address :)
Our seeds include vegetables, some herbs and a few companion plants...and the odd tree.
The list looks something like this ... Flax, Chamomile, Tansy, Sunflower, Poppy, Hollyhock, Pyrethrum, Echinacea, Broccolli, Capsicum, Kowhai, Tagaste, Chilli, Pumpkin (3 types) Squash (2 types) Angelica, Parsley, Carrot, Onion, Silverbeet, Radish, Lettuces (4 var)...Lg Marigold, French Marigold, Calendula, Tomatoes in 15 different varieties...
Im sending in lots of five pkts, and what you get is what the munchkins packaged this weekend, while I cracked the whip (made them a yummy pizza and supplied treats (bribery?). They even made the envelopes, bless them... So there you go, Cockeyed stamping, gluing and sticking all included, totally made with love and devotion... They did a fabulous job!
Any questions about how to grow what you get, dont hesitate to write, I should be able to help, as Im growing most of what Ive sent myself or have done... Just remember, seeds need the soil to be warmed up a bit, and most like some kind of compost. Love em, and they will grow!
Hope youre keeping warm, its been a gorgeous sunny day, but the wind chills you to the bone.
I found my teeth chattering this morning, whilst waiting for things to happen...
Star Jumps... and warm coffee... that ll fix it :)
Love to You and Yours - Happy Growing,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
We still have lots left, so if you're reading this and you want some (NZ ONLY SORRY) We can send you a selection. You need to send us a wee note here DONT FORGET your address :)
Our seeds include vegetables, some herbs and a few companion plants...and the odd tree.
The list looks something like this ... Flax, Chamomile, Tansy, Sunflower, Poppy, Hollyhock, Pyrethrum, Echinacea, Broccolli, Capsicum, Kowhai, Tagaste, Chilli, Pumpkin (3 types) Squash (2 types) Angelica, Parsley, Carrot, Onion, Silverbeet, Radish, Lettuces (4 var)...Lg Marigold, French Marigold, Calendula, Tomatoes in 15 different varieties...
Im sending in lots of five pkts, and what you get is what the munchkins packaged this weekend, while I cracked the whip (made them a yummy pizza and supplied treats (bribery?). They even made the envelopes, bless them... So there you go, Cockeyed stamping, gluing and sticking all included, totally made with love and devotion... They did a fabulous job!
Any questions about how to grow what you get, dont hesitate to write, I should be able to help, as Im growing most of what Ive sent myself or have done... Just remember, seeds need the soil to be warmed up a bit, and most like some kind of compost. Love em, and they will grow!
Hope youre keeping warm, its been a gorgeous sunny day, but the wind chills you to the bone.
I found my teeth chattering this morning, whilst waiting for things to happen...
Star Jumps... and warm coffee... that ll fix it :)
Love to You and Yours - Happy Growing,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
All Day Rain... Working Indoors
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| Rose Front Lawn. Not its name, its location ;-) |
The Chance of All Day Rain is what Miss 5 told me she had heard on the news. Funnily enough, she was still snoozing when the weather forecast was on, but she is right so far... All Day Rain.
Which is a good thing, and a bad thing. The good thing is the garden gets a decent wash of rain. The bad of course, is that Im stuck inside having to attend to Housework and Other Inside Work.
Doesnt matter that Im procrastinating. This is the second coffee, Ive sat here and dawdled through the listings of plants & pots on Trademe. Ive checked in to Ooooby to see whose around. Ive read about when & how to harvest Garlic. Sigh. The dishes are half done.
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| Garlic On the Rise |
Ive fed the cats, and the worms...
Odd isnt it, the cats do bugger all, nothing... and get fed twice a day and they whine about their food quality, quantity... the wind chill factor, anything at all.
The Worms... are far and away more productive, dont ask for a thing, and eat anything theyre given... and never say Boo... Which do I prefer? :-)This is what I laid my eyes on first thing this morning. Im captivated.
Thank Nature! A truly beautiful thing!
Now to see if I can get a poppy head with viable seeds... I hope so. Theyre gorgeous :)
I snuck down this morning to check out the pumpkins.
Murphys Law, and I find myself putting compost around the base of the pumpkins, chocka block full of wormies. Nek minnit... Next minute, I see a big fat Lady Thrush pecking out the worms... Epic FAIL on the composting...
And WHERE on Gods Green Earth are my Furry Purries? Not doing their job, saving my worms from birds... Theyre all blobbing around the Catmint or lazing under my window waiting for it to open so they can be fed... Theyre being fed too well!Well enough of my chatter.
Today is the middle of the last week of school for my Mister 11 and Im so looking forward to having them all home... and picking our own tomatoes to eat, lettuce, onions, and all the rest...
Love,
E BUTTERFLY
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