Sacred Heart ELC

Preparing pots for seeds

Preparing the garden soil, using clay for around the waterfall pool

Setting up the frame outdoors

Planting out in the garden

Creating the solar powered waterfall

Hooray, the pump is working

Keeping the water topped up

Steps to sustainablity

Celebrating 10 years of Pocket Garden

Our plants have flowers

🌿What was your favourite part of creating your garden?

The favourite part of creating our garden was working together as a team to solve problems and see our plants grow from seeds. We also loved creating a water feature and seeing the solar pump working and making the water trickle down through the bottles.

🌿Did you face any challenges and how did you respond to them?

We had hoped to make a reservoir by making a dam, however although the children worked hard on this and we tried different ways to make it water tight, it just wouldn't hold the water. We had to rethink this completely and use an old cooking pot instead. The weather was challenging. It was so cold at times that our plants did not seem to grow or flower as fast as last year. The children were very interested in the garden, and sometimes enjoyed a little poke about it in when no one was looking, which wasn't always good for our growing plants.

🌿What did you learn whilst creating your garden?

We learnt how to grow plants from seeds, and how some plants grow in soil but some plants like to grow in water. We learnt where we get our drinking water from, and how dams keep the water in a reservoir. We learnt about what habitats bugs and insects like. We found out about plants that we could eat and explored their smell and textures. We learnt how to work as a team on a project, and how to problem solve showing perseverance and resilience.

🌿Did you have any links with your local community or a Pocket Garden mentor whilst creating your garden?

We had donations of seeds, tin cans, wellies and a solar water pump.

🌿What will happen to your garden after the competition has finished?

We will maintain it as there are still plenty of flowers to bloom. We are looking forward to trying our strawberries, and hope to use our basil, mint and thyme in some cooking experiences.

🌿Is there anything else you would like to share?

We have really enjoyed the experience of creating our garden and it has provided lots of learning for the children.