Forest Lodge says...

And a good job done children at Forest Lodge - Mrs S class.  We will be wondering together if any will grow some leaves and show you that they are alive?  Very important to keep on watering each one of them.

Field Maple

It is great fun working with you children at Forest Lodge - Mrs W class - getting those twigs into the ground.  We know how hard it is to push them into the soil and so we used a strong iron poker to make a hole for them.

Field Maple

Forest Lodge - Mrs H Class - You were all very involved in pushing the twigs into the ground and we measured how far they were put into the earth.  The buds will become little green leaves in the spring, if they stay alive.  You will see them if you look very carefully.  So, watch out for which ones want to grow and those which may not.

Field Maple

Well done to Forest Lodge for planting 24 Hazel Twigs.  We will be able to study them all and see if any grow.  They will need to make roots for them to take water from the soil.  They will grow leaves if they are happy. If you take care of them and don’t touch them they may grow taller.  Even if just one or two live and smile, it will be successful.  Great and grand stuff!!

Field Maple

Forest Lodge - Mrs S class, we had a lot of fun with those logs and you know only to watch what happens and leave the insects alone to find their new home.

Field Maple

Mrs W Class Forest Lodge children – you were very patient waiting your turns to put the twigs, sticks and your own log onto the habitat pile.  I could see you dancing back to your class room!

Field Maple

Mrs H Class Forest Lodge children – I was very impressed with your list of insects that might naturally live amongst your logs.  You are a clever bunch! Especially when one of you picked up a wood louse to prove you knew what it was - well done!

Field Maple

Forest Lodge – let’s see how it all works out Forest Lodge children!

Field Maple

Mrs S class – you each picked out three Nasturtium seeds from my tub and held them carefully before planting them into their tiny holes in the soil.   You managed to hold onto them before putting them one by one into the soil. Well done all of you.

Field Maple

Mrs H Class Calendula are part of the Daisy family and are very small compared to sunflowers!  You were all given a pinch of seeds to hold in your hands because there were 250 seeds in the packet!  You were so careful to hold them until your turn to put them in the soil.  Out of all those seeds surely some will grow?  Watch carefully!!

Field Maple

Mrs W Class You were so excited to plant your seeds.  Nasturtiums should grow into long lengths of stems, flowers and leaves.  They could crawl up the fence behind them, or onto the grass all around.  They often attract caterpillars so look out for the white butterflies laying eggs and their hungry caterpillars in a couple of months!  You are all very patient waiting your turns to plant.

Field Maple

These three Hazel twigs seem still to have kept their leaves but they needed some urgent action when I visited after half-term.  I gave each a full watering can of water and a stake so that they can be saved!  These three have probably benefitted from the shade given by the fence nearby.    

Field Maple

They are all growing because you have been watering them!  Hopefully, you will see them come into flower soon with lovely colours of yellow, orange and red!  The Runner Beans have got going and they can run up the side of the fence.  You will have to help them on their way as soon as they are long enough!  

Field Maple

Well done children! I am truly amazed that anything was able to survive the 40 degrees centigrade we all experienced on 19th July! Your plants may have been sheltered by the fence beside them, casting shade against the fierce summer sun coming from the south. The Runner Beans may have been eaten by slugs – they like their leaves!

Field Maple

Mrs S class – all twenty of you did a great job digging holes deep enough for the bulbs to feel at home and keeping the roots down means they will quickly take up water and get longer and stronger. Very hopeful start to winter children!

Field Maple

These Calendulas flowering in November are making up for lost time in all that heat in the summer. They really do seem to like Mr B’s children!

Field Maple

Mr B will be very proud of your efforts children, and he will enjoy watching them grow with you.

Field Maple

Mr B’s Class – what nature lovers you are!  It was great that you showed such interest in the little creatures living in the soil.  I wonder if they will remember you when you come to admire the daffodils growing in the spring?  Look out for them!

Field Maple

Mrs F’s Class – you finished the planting of the 60 daffodils and it will be great to watch them all grow in your selected plot of ground in the corner. You were all very happy to touch and dig the soil and pick up the leaves to put in the holes along with the earth. The leaves will help feed the worms. Well done everyone!

Field Maple

Well done also to keep all your logs for studying them as they become rotten and invite insects to use them.

Field Maple