Sgoil an Rubha

Creating the frame with depth for planting

It's painted and the post is in place

We also worked indoors to make the decoration

It was a team effort. Everyone helped

Adding the decorative features

And planting up the garden

🌿What was your favourite part of creating your garden?

Our favourite part of the pocket garden project was working together in teams to design our own creative garden ideas. We enjoyed sharing our thoughts, drawing plans, and deciding which plants, colours, and features would make our garden attractive and environmentally friendly and a great addition to the school grounds. The most rewarding experience was seeing the winning design brought to life. We helped to create the garden and watch our plans become a real, living space that can be enjoyed by the whole school community.

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

We faced a number of challenges - especially the inclement weather in the Western Isles over the Winter and Spring months. We tried to get a head start on the growing process in January - and grew a number of herbs and plants in the warmer part of the room. However, some of the pupils over watered them and when transplanted, we lost most of the initial yield - including the carrots we had hoped to use for the garden. Therefore, we had to think of Plan B - seeking advice as to what other vegetables/plants would make suitable alternatives.

🌿What did you learn whilst creating your garden?

Creating our pocket garden taught pupils many valuable lessons about gardening, teamwork, and the importance of adapting to local conditions. During the project, we discovered that not all plants and vegetables grow successfully in the Western Isles due to the challenging climate, including strong winds, heavy rain, and periods of poor weather. Some of the plants in our original design did not produce the expected yields, so we had to rethink our plans and choose hardier varieties that were better suited to our environment.

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

We received plant/seed donations from parents , staff members and the local garden centre -and a local engineer kindly sourced and trimmed the used pipes for the bug hotel. We worked with the Facilities Management( OCS), who maintain our school - namely our janitor and a parent helper. With their 'green fingered' expertise, we utilised the school polycrub to its full potential, commenced a Growing Club and even had excess plants and vegetables that we sold at school events and donated to the local foodbank.

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

When the Eco-Schools competition has finished, our pocket garden will continue to be an important part of our school. We will look after the plants by watering them regularly, removing weeds, and making sure they stay healthy. The garden will provide a safe habitat for insects and other wildlife, helping to support biodiversity. Pupils will be able to use the garden for learning about nature, sustainability, and the environment. As the plants grow, the pocket garden will become even more beautiful and enjoyable for everyone to visit.

🌿Is there anything else you would like to share?

We learned that successful gardening involves problem-solving and flexibility. By seeking advice from our local plant nursery and experienced local gardeners, we learnt which plants would survive and thrive. We adapted our original design to include more suitable plants and vegetables, ensuring that the garden would be both attractive and productive. Pupils learned the importance of seeking expert advice, working with nature, and making informed decisions to create a sustainable garden that can flourish in the Western Isles.