In our Garden

Garden Visitors

Our garden news begins with a Buzz as earlier this year we had a visit from one of our parents who is helping take care of our State honey bee populations. She helped collect 12 of big bags of pine needles to use in the smoking of hives to pacify the bees prior to inspection for the devastating Varroa mite.

Some of you might know that this very pesty insect has begun to infect bee hives in Victoria.  

This mite is estimated to reduce honey production by 50% in Europe and is expected to be worse in Australia if it takes hold as we have a longer warm season for it to spread in.  Nikki’s team is working to do all they can to eliminate it before it gets too much of a foothold in Australia.

You can watch this BTN episode on it via the link below. The mite has the appropriate name of Varroa Destructor !

We were lucky to have Sini and Lisa helping too! Thanks to you and our enthusiastic student helpers also.

https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/varroa-mite/13972864

We hope Nikki’s team is successful in their efforts to eradicate this terribly destructive invader.

On the Verge and Upstairs

The verge and chook gardens are gradually being planted with our autumn and winter veggies and have been giving a steady supply of treasures for our cooking program as we harvest the last of our summer veggies.  We are also enjoying the start of citrus season with limes featuring in puddings and biscuits.

This  week we cooked spanakopita (spinach and fetta slice) and made roast veggies and Anzac Biscuits. Yum!

Grade 5/6 have done an awesome job helping to rebuild the garden beds on the hill and we are now happily harvesting basil, silver beet and spring onions from their newly constructed beds.

Grade 4/5s have also been helping take care of the verge gardens and this week were industrious weeding, planting and harvesting flowers.

If you are thinking of joining our Parents gardening group, Tuesday mornings from 8:45 - 9:45 am is a popular time.  Bring your working with children check,  sign in at the office and join other parents for some fun social garden time.  Our garden helpers make all the difference when it comes to keeping our garden looking great.

Happy Gardening!

Sara