1st week back to the garden

On a most glorious September day, we started our gardening club.
18 children this term and over subscribed.

As we planted out runner beans just before we left for the summer holidays, we are now able to harvest loads. So off the little helpers went to work and managed to take handfuls of lovely runner beans to try at home with the rest of the family.

They also were lucky enough to be in time to taste the autumn raspberries, which should fruit for some weeks to come. keeping fingers crossed.

In readiness for next year, we planted japanese onions in bed 2.

HOW TO PLANT ONION SETS

 
Onions are not particularly picky about soil conditions but they will prefer a well dug soil, preferably a few months earlier which drains well and is neither acidic nor alkaline. Having said that they grow well in most soil conditions. 

They also prefer a position in full sun or at least partial sun. Onions very quickly become prone to disease if good crop rotation is not practiced so never grow them in ground where any member of the onion family (onions, spring onions, garlic, leeks) have been grown in last two to three years.

It's important to plant them the correct way up with the root end onto the soil and tassel end uppermost. The picture on the right can be enlarged by clicking on it if you have any doubts. By making a little hole for each onion set rather than just forcing them into the ground you will avoid damaging the roots.

On bed 5, before we left for the summer holidays we planted ornamental gourds which are now ready. We harvested them and had enough for everyone to take one home for halloween.

The bed is now clean and next week we will plant them up with garlic.