Garden Club

Garden Shop

Photo of the week

This is a photo of an Eastern Water Skink. It was taken last Friday with Mum Sally M (spotter) and Mum Sandra C (photographer). We were visiting the hidden garden when it appeared. 

Garden Wildlife Watch: Hello Eatern Water Skink!

Keep your eyes peeled! The Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus Guoyii) seems to enjoy the hidden garden. This beautiful reptile is a welcome resident and a fantastic sign of a healthy ecosystem right here at our school.

Why is it here?

Despite its name, this skink doesn't need a river to thrive, just a good source of moisture and food. Our garden has plenty of mulch, leaf litter and water. This creates the perfect home by providing: 

     * Shelter: Places to hide and bask under rocks and sticks

     * Food: Plentiful supply of its favourite snacks - insects, spiders and snails - a wonderful natural pest controller

The Big Belly Mystery

We noticed its belly looked quite large. This is likely a great sign! It means the skink is either very well fed or more excitingly, it's a female getting ready to give birth to live young.

Please remember to observe our scaly friend from a respectful distance so it can stay safe and continue its important work in the garden. 

The Unsung Hero of the Aquatic World - Celebrating Java Moss

In the vibrant world of aquatic plants, some species grab all the glory with their colourful leaves or dramatic forms. But today, lets shine a spotlight on a humble yet incredibly powerful plant - Java Moss (Taxiphyllum Barbieri). 

You might not know it's name but if you have ever had an aquarium or even propogated plants in water, you might have already benefited from it's quiet superpowers. Here in our school, we are seeing its magic first hand.

Our Secret to Crystal Clear Water

We've been experimenting with growing Pothos and Spider Plants directly in jars of water. While often challenging to keep the water pristine, we discovered a brillian helper - Java Moss. By adding a small amount to our jars, we 've noticed something remarkable:

     * Sparking Clarity - Our water stays wonderfully clear, providing a perfect view of the roots developing

     * Algae-Free Zone - Annoying green algae which often clouds water and competes with plants, is significantly reduced or even eliminated!

Why is Java Moss so Amazing?

This unassuming moss is an environmental powerhouse. It naturally helps to filter the water by absorbing excess nutrients that would otherwise fuel algae growth. Essentially, it out-competes algae for food, leaving the water clear and healthy for your main plants. 

So next time you see Java Moss, give a nod to this tiny hardworking hero. It might just be the secret ingredient to your next successful water propagation project or a clearer aquarium. 

Super Helpers - Meet the Root Hairs

Root hairs are the most unnoticed part of a plant. They are tiny fuzzy parts of a plants root that look a bit like fine white thread.

What Are They?

A root hair isn't a separate piece, it's actually just an extension (a long, thin bump) of a single special skin cell on the root. This is why they are so thin and delicate. Their main job is to stick out in to the soil (or water in this case) like tiny searching fingers.

What Do They Do?

Root hairs have two super important jobs for the plant:

1. Drink Water: They soak up almost all of the water a plant needs to survive. Because they are so long and numerous, they create a huge surface area, like a giant sponge, allowing the plant to drink much more water than it could with just the main root.
2. Find Food: They also absorb the nutrients and minerals (like tiny vitamins) from the soil that the plant needs to grow big and strong.

Thanks to these little fuzzy helpers, your plants can drink and eat all they need to flourish. 

When is Garden Club?

Garden Club happens on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, right after the gates open. We meet at the bubblers on the Churchill Avenue side of the school. 

Garden Club is completely FREE to join! It's a great opportunity to learn to be a lateral thinker with limited resources, get first pick after a harvest, and see some fascinating creatures.

The information shared here is based on our experiences and knowledge, but we are not gardening experts. Think of it as friendly advice from one garden lover to another. Please remember that all gardening activities should be done with adult supervision and that you are responsible for your own safety and decisions.