Describe your Edible Playground?
We’re doing all the growing in containers on a previously unused concreted bit of the school grounds. We have two raised beds, two cut off water butts and we’re growing our potatoes in bags. We are trying to persuade the local authority to come and clear a sunny bit of the school grounds of its nettles so we can start growing vegetables there.
 
How do you organise your gardening activities?
We have a lunchtime gardening club run by two parents, where six children can be working at a time. Children are rotated, so everyone has a turn.
 
Who looks after the Edible Playground in the holidays?
One of these parents is also a dinner lady and she comes to look after the plants during the holidays.
 
What have been your best growing successes?
We have some lovely cabbages! The beetroot has been great as have the carrots. There are lots of apples on the apple tree, which is in a tub in a sunny corner.
 
What pests are particularly bothersome?
Slugs of course! One of our parents keeps chicken, so keeps us supplied with egg shells which the children break up and scatter on the soil around the plants. This does seem to deter the slugs. We are gardening organically and are pleased to have just discovered some organic slug pellets which we’re trying out.

Do you attract wildlife into your Edible Playground?
As we’re in a rural location, there’s lots of wildlife nearby, most of which we need to keep out! We are only a small school, but we do have a wildlife corner where there is a log pile and insect houses.
 
What do children enjoy most about their Edible Playground?
They love getting mucky and really enjoy the ‘touchy feely’ aspects of gardening! They also like being chosen to be responsible for different jobs.
 
How do you fund your Edible Playground?
As the garden is run through the garden club, we have Extended Schools funding for the garden.
 
Do you have any help from outside the school with the Edible Playground?
We put a plea in our local parish magazine for a wheelbarrow – and we were given two.
 
How do you use the produce from the garden?
Our school meals are bought in, but we have a cookery club which has made vegetable soup with produce from the garden.