Spring begins!

At the moment we don't have any tomatoes planted because they were dying due to temperature and irregular nutrient supply. We would like to thank Vaughan for buying us a new pump. We have been using some parsley and spinach in our stuffed potatoes. - By Ashleigh

June Planting

On Friday Ben, Ashleigh and Mrs Dearlove planted our winter vegetables in the Glasshouse. We planted celery, lettuce and spinach. Thank you for coming to help us Mrs Dearlove. We have also planted a couple of coriander plants to see how they grow in the winter. We may have to use the water heaters that Mr Sandford kindly lent us. Ben and I picked up all of the extra leaves as these attract the bugs. By Cole

May Update

We are still growing our fruit and vegetables in the hydroponic unit. Tomorrow Mr. Sandford is coming to help us change the water and hopefully he will help us with planting our winter vegetables and herbs. We are going to grow celery, coriander and basil. We really appreciate Mr Sandford's support. - By Ashleigh

Ramp update Term 2

We have received a letter from the Manawatu District Council about the ramps and they said that they would arrange someone from Fulton Hogan to come up to the school and see what is needed to be done and that they could help us to upgrade them or replace them. We are hoping to upgrade them. - By Cole

Bike Ramp - Term 1

We love the bike ramp that the council built for us in the year 2000/01. Scooters, bikes and skate boards are allowed on it. But now its getting a little bit too old and is breaking down. We have written a letter to the council to ask them if they can help us rebuild it. - By Tom and Cole.

Hydroponics Update

Our hydroponics are growing really well. We are using them for our Bon Apiti. We now have a surplus. We are now starting to sell our basil, tomatoes, capsicans and our chillies. We have got a little store at school, so you can come any time. We hope you buy our fresh fruit and vegies. Prices: Chillies: $50c each. Tomatoes: $5.00 a bag. Basil: $ 1.50 a bag. Capsican: $5.00 a bag. By Ashleigh.

We are still growing our fruit and vegetables in the hydroponic unit. Tomorrow Mr. Sandford is coming to help us change the water and hopefully he will help us with planting our winter vegetables and herbs. We are going to grow celery, coriander and basil. We really appreciate Mr Sandford's support. - By Ashleigh

We are still growing tomatoes, chillies, peppers and lettuces which we are using in our healthy lunches. Last week playcentre came over to look at our hydroponics and we showed them what we had planted. They took three strawberry plants back to playcentre to plant in their garden. They also took some lettuce leaves for their lunch. We are going to plant strawberry plants next to the herb garden over Winter because they will die in the glass house. - Ashleigh.

Ideas for Winter

It would be preferable to change the water for the winter. I could show you when I come out.

There are a number of plants that could be planted.
Cauliflower,
Broccoli,
Spinach which is great in sandwiches and quiches, with a poached egg on toast, or with noodles.
Celery,
Lettuce?
Because there are no white butterflies about in the winter there would be no caterpillars

This is a great recipe for lunch on a cold winters day;
Carrot
Whole kernel Corn (canned)
Green Peas or Beans (frozen)
Spinach
Noodles (2 minute)
Diced Chicken or Beef (cooked)

Grate carrot and tear spinach leaves into small pieces
Cook noodles as per instructions on the packet
Add carrots, peas or beans corn and meat – heat until hot
Then add spinach and heat for 30 seconds.

Now ready to serve and eat.

The following can be added to taste;
Crushed garlic,
Crushed/grated ginger
Sweet chillie sauce.

To help keep unwanted insect/bugs away marigold could be planted in pots and placed in the glass house.

Let me know when it is the best day and time to come to Apiti School.

Regards
John Sandford

Hydroponics Feedback

I have just seen the photo in the blog spot newsletter. The plants look awesome and the children are to be congratulated on their effort and success.
I notice Ashley said the strawberries would die over winter in the hydroponics. This will only happen is the system is turned off.
That being the case new strawberry plants would need to be purchased and installed. Strawberries produce their best crop in the 2nd and 3rd year so by keeping the hydroponics going a bigger crop should be produced next season. The plant take up less nutrients in the winter months so would need less frequent attention.
I would be happy to come out and talk to the overseers of the project if the is what you would like.
They children have done a great job and they should be very proud of their success.

Best regards
John