Wallace Primary School 2nd Entry

Gangsta Garden

We have chosen to base our miniature garden on the theme of the story Gangsta Granny by David Walliams. When discussing ideas the children in the Eco Committee shared a number of themes and ideas. We shared these and the group could all connect with the story of Gangsta Granny and that they would like to create their very own Gangsta Garden.

Buggingham Palace

The London Eye

River Thames

In the story of Gangsta Granny, the main character does not enjoy spending time with his gran but then he reveals some secrets and the pair venture on exciting adventures together building a strong relationship.

The children believed that many people do not see the hidden wonders of nature and often think of it as boring. They could see the connection with gardening and Gangsta Granny and wanted to share the wonders that gardening can offer and sometimes you have to look a little closer to see the jewels of nature. The plan that the children have designed features lots of small areas, each with a hidden gem – just like the hidden gems within the Gangsta Granny story.

The children highlighted parts of the book and brought this to life within the garden, including:

Grown Jewels

The centre piece of Gangsta Garden is the Grown Jewels as this is the main focus in the story. The story is based in London therefore we have planted roses in our Grown Jewels as these are the national flower of England. These will attract animals and the children thought that bees can steal the nectar like granny stole the Jewels. The roses (edible) have been planted in a recycled tyre.

London Eye

As a key tourist attraction we wanted to have a feature where animals e.g. birds could visit to perch and enjoy our garden. This has been made from twigs and feature recycled juice bottles.

River Thames

Running through Gangsta Garden is a water feature ‘The River Thames’. This has been made from recycled guttering and will flow down into a bird bath at the bottom made from recycled plant pots.

Buggingham Palace and the Palace Gardens

Gangasta Garden features a bug hotel – Buggingham Palace. Visiting the palace is a key feature for the main characters in the story and this will be a main visiting place for bugs in our garden. Buggingham Palace has been made from recycled plant pots and filled with pine cones, straw and twigs. The palace gardens has been planted with edible plants (nasturtiums, pea plants) which would create an attractive place visiting place for bees.

Cabbage Patch

Granny in the story loves cabbage and makes a variety of meals using cabbage as the base. We have grown cabbage and plan to replant it in our school garden to allow us to use it in our cooking classroom to share the possibilities of how we can use cabbage in recipes.

Bugscuit Tin

Granny’s jewels are hidden in the biscuit tin so we have planted our own jewels – basil, peas, peppers These will attract insects as well as being used in the cooking classroom when preparing meals.

Path of Jewels

Stones have been placed to separate sections of the garden. Stones in a garden represent the jewels from the story. Stones are jewels within a garden because they provide a habitat for many bugs and creatures.

The plants in the garden will be replanted within out nature garden (if we can stop our school bunnies from eating them). The bug hotel and water feature will be added to the nursery garden to allow the children to continue to explore nature.

The cabbage, vegetables and herbs will be used within the cooking classroom or as part of play for the nursery children.

The children have learned how to nurture and grow plants. They understand more about which plants are edible and how they can create an environment which is suitable for bugs and mini beasts. Through growing and cooking their own vegetables the children will learn how they can reduce their carbon footprint by growing and cooking their own food.

The children in the school Eco Committee have taken responsibility for the garden and we have been supported by community groups who have donated plants. Families have donated recycled items.