mushroom kits

We have been delivering mushroom kits to all our school during the past couple of weeks, however here in the office we didn't want to feel left out (and we had to check that the kits were working!) so we've been growing a box ourselves.

We decided on the mushroom kits due to the fact that during winter the schools gardening clubs have little to do, plus the mushrooms are growing on used coffee grounds and chopped up old cardboard so its eco-friendly!

Starting the box off on the Friday

Bit of a surprise on Monday when we came in.

By the Friday (1 week later) it was ready for harvest!

Raised beds for Mill Lane Primary, Stockton

The final three raised beds have gone in at Mill Lane Primary, one went in on Friday and was planted up with onions, garlic and winter peas by the year six students. the final two have been put in today ready for planting after the half term holiday.

Part filled beds

Almost filled beds

Growing Guide and Vegetable Planting Calender

Here at groundwork North east we have been working on a downloadable Growing Guide and vegetable planting calender we hope that you find them useful.

If you have any advice or tips that you would like us to add to these documents please E-mail us and we will add anything useful to them.

Possible School Orchards?

As a couple of our Street Eats schools have asked us about fruit trees we are currently looking at the possibility of providing a few orchard trees (and possibly some soft fruit bushes) for the schools.

We will let you know whats happening later on in the winter as planting of those sorts of things usually happen in spring.

Gardening club at Bankfield Primary School, Eston

The final gardening club of the year at Bankfield Primary school on Tuesday went well despite the howling wind and horizontal rain.

The children managed to get the bed in their polytunnel all filled and planted with radishes, lettuces and other winter salad crops, hopefully these will grow throughout the winter providing some fresh leaf vegetables for the school.

The children also helped 'winterise' the polytunnel by fitting plastic covers to the door vents, this should allow the temperature to stay higher inside the polytunnel during the coldest winter weather.

In the outside beds the garlic and onions the children planted earlier in the autumn are starting to peak through the soil giving the children an idea of things starting to grow, even the winter peas are starting to make an appearance!

VISIT TO 'INCREDIBLE EDIBLES' TODMORDEN

The trip to Todmorden to have a look at their 'Incredible Edibles' project happened on Sunday, although we didn't have as many people come on the minibus as we were hoping for, the trip went well and lots was learned. 

There where many things that 'Incredible Edibles' do in Todmorden that could be spread across the Tees Valley including ripping out council shrub beds and replacing them with vegetable and herb beds.

The first place we visited was an area that had been transformed from a rubbish dump and rough ground next to the canal into a growing and propogating area for Todmorden.

Tractor tyres being used as raised beds

Inside one of the growing polytunnels

Once we arrived in Todmorden there were many beds located throughout the town

One on a street corner

In front of the theatre

In front of the police station

In front of the community centre and library

Another one in from of the community centre and library

In a corner of the railway stations car park

Small containers dotted around the railway station

Next to the canal

On top of some re-vetting works near the canal

WORKS AT BROUGHAM PRIMARY, HARTLEPOOL

Yesterday we moved the Brougham Primary school polytunnel to a better site (away from the football pitch), photos below.

We also filled an outside raised bed and planted garlic, white onions, red onions, broad beans and peas to be harvested in spring.

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG AUTUMN PLANT!

Here at Groundwork North East we are in the process of getting ready for a mass mail out of seeds for the big autumn plant.

Over the next week or so we will be delivering some broad bean seeds and some garlic cloves to the households in the project for growing over the winter. These should be ready for harvesting in spring and early summer!

In total we will be delivering to 94 households across the Tees Valley.

Gardening Club at St Johns C of E Primary, Darlington

We've started our gardening club at St Johns C of E Primary this afternoon, the school already had an area set aside for an allotment and had existing raised beds, during the summer we have provided them with a 8 foot by 10 foot polytunnel as well as a paved area.

During today's gardening club we installed a raised bed in the new polytunnel, planted some red and some white onions as well as some garlic ready for harvest next year.

We harvested some peas, runner beans and broad beans. We picked some cabbages that we had planted with the gardening club before the summer holidays and some carrots and lettuces, all the vegetables picked should be on tomorrows lunch menu!

We also potted up lots of little strawberry runners to get new plants for next year!

Trip to 'Incredible Edible' in Todmorden

We are planning a trip to Todmorden to visit the 'Incredible Edible' project on Sunday the 7th of October.

The 'Incredible Edible' project is an urban gardening project started in 2008 by Pamela Warhurst  in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. The project aims to get people together to make a difference through growing healthy local, and reducing reliance on big businesses.

A minibus is being provided which will have pick up and drop off points across the Tees Valley. The Trip is free, however quick booking is advisable as the places are filling up quickly.

For more information on the 'Incredible Edible' project see:

http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk

To book a place on the minibus contact Jay, Laura or Alison on 01642 815663.

Brougham Primary

2 lovely recycled plastic raised beds installed by 2 lovely ladies and their children this afternoon at Brougham Primary School. Next week soil and veggies!

Trip to Hamsterly Forest: Fungal Foray This Sun

There are still places left on our trip to Hamsterly Forest on the Fungal Foray, this Sunday 23rd, ring asap to book a place, transport and entry provided.

We also have spaces on the Food for free trip next Sunday 30th Sept again at Hamsterly Forest free transport

Even more exciting spaces on our trip to the Incredible Edible in Todmorden Sunday 7th October. A look around their trading site just outside Tod, then a tour of Todmorden led by community members who have grown fruit and vegetables anywhere and everywhere they can including graveyards! This produce is for the whole community to harvest and use, come and be inspired look at your street, community and green spaces differently-what can you grow in the back alley, rec or local park?

Ring Jay, Laura or Alison 01642 815663

Radio Tees

Hi all

Please tune in to Radio Tees on Monday at 8.50am and listen to Denise Parkin an active member of the Street Eats project and myself chat live about the project

Jay