Planning for the new season

It may not be ideal gardening weather outside at the moment but there is still plenty to do. It's a good time to plan your plot. Planning provides a good opportunity for children to create plans and diagrams. They could use a computer programme such as the Growveg system which many schools have found useful. Click here for more information.

It is also a good time to start monitoring weather conditions to help the children to understand how the seasons change and why we start growing when we do. Again this provides a real life opportunity to create and analyse charts and graphs. Click here for data on our weather over the year.

DON'T be tempted to sow seeds too early unless you want to use this as a science project to understand what happens when seedlings are grown in different conditions e.g. low light.

Now is the time though to make sure that you have all the seeds and plants that you need for the new season.

There is advice on what to choose on these pages Now is an ideal time to be choosing fruits plants. If you leave your ordering too late then you may have less choice. Try browsing the Victoriana site where schools can obtain special rates

Also make sure to buy your seed potatoes in good time. Don't forget to visit the Potato Council - Grow your Own Potatoes site where schools can register your school to receive a FREE potato growing kit. Information on planting potatoes in open ground can be accessed here and in containers here.

Advice on many gardening techniques can be found here. If you think I should add more items to help you with your gardening please email any suggestions to me