They measured out the size of Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hind - which is about the same size as the roof garden and was home to 80 sailors for three years! Drake was the first Englishman to sail all the way round the world in 1580 and he is credited with bringing back the potato. Potatoes were first cultivated by the Incas and there are about 3,000 different varieties grown in Peru.
Year Two learned how to 'chit' potatoes. This means the tubers are left to sprout in a cool, light place before they are planted. The potatoes will be ready to plant in mid-March when we celebrate St Patrick's Day! This year we are growing an early potato called Rocket that will be harvested in the Summer Term and Maris Piper (the chip shop favourite) that will be harvested in the autumn term.
The gardening and food tasting sessions are run by Friends of City Gardens volunteers. If parents wish to join in and help they would be very welcome. The sessions are from 09.30 to 10.30 every Wednesday.