The tribulations of school gardening

i am sure the sweet corn is edible. we have got so used to 'perfectly' shaped fruit and veg. it is probably due to the nutrient mix.
did you set aside an area for a compost bin. if not try and find a spot as it will be fantastic for your all own compost. and as it rots down let the kiddies look through it at all the beasties. believe me even big kids enjoy it.

Hello,
One thing I get wound up about is red tape and lethargy, (that's two!). I won't rant on, I'll try to be constructive for a change. Just a thought, but have you tried Freecycle? They have groups all over the UK and I've just googled up ...'Freecycle Norwich uk'... on a search, they have over 20,000 members in the Norwich area who like to give things away! You can put a message for 'Wanted', maybe someone has excess fertiizer they would like to give you?
...Also, you can make your own, nettles, comfrey solutions etc. Our local allotment keepers brew all sorts and get amazing results, check your local allotments out they're always a good source of experienced knowledge, and 'real gardeners' usually love to give you the benefit of their successes!
Good Luck.
Jen.

Thanks Seaburn girl. Yes, we have three large pallet compost bins, soon 4...plus leaf mould and loam pile. The area is new and it will only be ready next season unfortunatly.

Thanks Junglejen. Yes, I use freecycle regularly. I'm transport-less and skint so it does cause a problem. Part of me also thinks "if THEY cant be bothered, neither can I". I've spent more weekend hours than I'd like to admit doing work and this summer I'm taking it eeeaaaasssssyyyy

Interesting how some establishments are happy to let someone else do all the work!
Our Garden Club made a garden in the town centre a few years back and looked after it for 18 months. At this pont, the landowner put up plaque saying it was THEIR garden - we downed tools at this point and let them look after it (which needless to say, they didn't) and now the Council have had to take it on

sounds familiar.... i have someone trying to claim credit from an ivory tower.

Hey to them youre "just " the gardener a very lowly position in their eyes. They think it all happens on its own, stupid people!. One of the reasons what I do is for us (the family) and no one elses benefit, though we do shar excess veggies with deserving neighbours from time to time when its spare. Its also the main reason why I won't get involved with the local schools project allotment.

but if you've started it then continue ...but if theyre extracting the wet stuff just walk away....

Indypendant: I like your cynisism.

I'm actually doing this for several reasons aside from improving the place where I live (its considered a deprived area!). One of those reasons is that I'm a university student (Ecology) and will be looking for employment when I leave uni and its fantastic to already have 2 years experience as an entrepreneur and charity worker blah de blah de blah.

On the plus side, said person didnt realise that I'm a wolf in a sheep's clothing. The teeth only come out when necessary and she's starting to feel the full force of my bite, shall we say. I take sick pleasure in exposing her.

Plus, we all want to winge about the world's problems and doing this means I can feel justified about my soapbox!

OOOHH! goody goody a WOOOOLUF! go get er bite er good then write up the story loosely disguised as a fairy tale and entertain the kids with it lol!

Why not check out Instaplanta's horticultural products? They take away a lot of the back breaking year round maintenance, promote 'success', easily maintained and the kids can even take home their little piece of the school garden to look after with mum and dad!!

They are also running a competition at the moment in conjunction with 'Growing Schools' with some great gardening prizes to be won!!

www.instaplanta.co.uk