“The best time to plant trees was 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW!”
The parakeets have been flitting from crown to crown of our giant trees here in the forest and below them something magical has been happening. A whole nursery of baby trees have been planted and watered by our little forest folk-ers in both camps. Some of these trees were planted back in winter when they were bald little saplings and have been incubating in the green house. Now, with their beautiful leaves on display, they have enjoyed the showers of water our children have been giving them.
Others have been delicately moved into new pots and given some nourishing soil and the children have loved scooping the mud and help rehouse their trees. Every morning when discussing our ‘no shaking and no breaking rules’, our children are very acute about the importance of protecting our trees as all other life forms depend on them for clean air and this has been a great time to have discussions about planting new trees that will continue this job when the old trees are no longer there.
In a moment of serendipity, Lizzie and a group of children discovered a dead bumblebee at the base of one of our large Lime trees. Lizzie allowed the children to inspect it, carefully looking at it from different angles. Unable to spot anything suspicious, the children came to the conclusion that the bee must have been in an old age and this promoted another discussion about life cycles. After having lived a great life the children wanted to place the bee somewhere where it could continue to rest in comfort “it needs a blanket to keep warm” said one child whilst placing a leaf over it. “It needs some flowers too” said another child as they decorated the bees resting place with some elderflowers.
As the planting has been such a keen interest this week, both educators in both camps have provided further opportunities for children to continue their gardening skills. We have a flower bed that has now been carefully prepared by the children and now houses some tomato plants, pees, radishes and some strawberry plants. But how can we protect these little seeds from the birds we asked? Thus began an extended project making a scarecrow. Children made drawings and plans and discussed the best materials to use. They helped adults to make a large “stick man” and dressed him in a carefully chosen outfit (a pair of jeans, a navy blue top and a high viz vest “so he doesn’t get lost”). Some children made a lovely big face for him and he now keeps a watchful eye over our vegetable garden. The children will be working as a team to settle on a name for him very soon.
We hope you have a lovely weekend at home – maybe enjoy some gardening or a walk amongst the trees and the bees. Please keep inspiring us all with your wonderful lunchboxes and we look forward to seeing you all next week.
Little Forest Folk
Twickenham