Te Kura at Pollard Park
Angela hosted a small group of enthusiastic Te Kura students in the Backyard Garden at Pollard Park at the beginning of the term.
Thankfully Tamanuiterā had melted the frost and warmed the garden making it the ideal place to observe the changes in season and investigate the types of vegetables that enjoy the cooler temperatures of autumn and winter. They found spinach, broad beans, parsley, spring onions, kale, cauliflower, silver beet and beetroot, taste testing some of the leaves as they went. They discovered that the tender young leaves of the broad beans can be eaten, these taste very similar to broccoli. To their delight they also discovered eating enough of the leaves turns their tongues bright green!
There was one very unusual vegetable growing – the avocado shaped choko!
Choko were once common as a cover for backyard sheds and bare fences, but is rarely seen in gardens these days. They are easy to grow and care for. All the plant requires is a support or trellis to climb on and away it goes!. The fruits can be eaten raw, like a cucumber, with the older fruits able to be steamed or stir fried.
After closer investigation the children realised gardens are not just places for plants but insects, birds, and small animals call it home too. We could see evidence of that by the sharp beak marks of birds enjoying the silver beet and spinach. Tiny whiteflies were hiding in the crinkles of the kale leaves. Small green caterpillars on the underside of cauliflower and cabbages. Bees were enjoying the sun and pollinating the flowers of the perennials planted around the garden.
Each insect and bird have a role to play in the garden. Angela brought in some tiger worms from home for the children to look at. They learnt about their role in decomposing leaf litter or food scraps to make compost.
They loved using the micro glasses and were fascinated by the fact that worms have five hearts and breathe through their skin! I’m sure they will be sharing their discoveries with friends and family.