It’s autumn in the Mallee and that means cropping and gardening after the heat of summer. We have reintroduced worms to the worm farm and studied and drawn them, moved like them, read about them, finger painted them, and now are feeding and looking after them.
We planted some bulbs last week – and yesterday Hamish brought some seeds in that Maddie had germinated – which set us thinking that we could do that too. (Such a great gift, to have a strong interest in something emerge within the group, so the children can do the program planning for us… )
The farming children said they could bring some seeds of wheat or other plants in – and Sandy brought 5 different sorts!Wheat, barley, lupins, chick peas and canola. So we did an experiment – planting them into cotton wool so that we will be able to observe their growth and change.
We did some for the group and then each child chose what seeds they wanted to plant – canola was popular – it’s so tiny and looks different to all the others. Hard to believe that we can get oil for cooking and margarine from those tiny dots of seeds.
Now we will look after them and watch them grow.
We are watering our bulbs outside but not too much – last year’s group has taught us not to over-water (the bulbs will rot!)
We are also learning a song (to the tune of I’m a little teapot):
Children crouch down while they sing this until the end….
I’m a little seed buried in the ground
Waiting for the sun all warm and round.
A little drop of rain gives me water to drink
And up I sprout – quick as a wink! (clap 3 times on Quick as a wink).