WPS Community Children’s Garden

Crop rotation is important for successful food production:

• Soil nutrients are replenished or used in varying degrees by different plants (eg tomatoes use a lot of nitrogen, while peas put nitrogen into the soil), 

• Soil structure is changed by different plants roots breaking up or increase organic matter into the soil (eg long deep carrots V shallow rocket roots),

• Weed and soil pathogen lifecycles are disrupted and not able to buildup. 

Having already scattered seed from our celery crop when it was fruiting onto a new garden bed, in May we harvested the old celery so we could plant something different in the space.

Although the celery stalks were short and thin compared to those you get from the supermarket, they tasted fresh and delicious straight from the garden. Leftovers were taken home as both the stalks and leaves are great in winter soups, slow cooker casseroles and bolognese. 

While most students eagerly hoed into the celery, some were a bit more hesitant: 

“I don’t like celery from the supermarket, but this is actually yummy”, said one student who didn’t take too much convincing.

“It’s actually ok” admitted a very reluctant student, who only gave it a nibble when I said it was ok to spilt it out if she didn’t like it…. She then proceeded to eat the whole celery stalk. 😊

If you can’t make it to the Monday sessions, but you can help out another day, simply contact me to see what needs to be done. 

Volunteer WPS Gardening Group Facilitator

Nicole Middleton - 0418 233 366