Window Garden
Plant Growth - Height of Plant (cm)
Week
|
Mint
|
Chives
|
Parsley (L)
|
Parsley (R)
|
Sage
|
Dill
|
1
|
15.2
|
24.5
|
15.2
|
8.7
|
18.8
|
22.2
|
2
|
18.7
|
25.5
|
16.7
|
8.9
|
18.9
|
27.3
|
3
|
18.9
|
26
|
20.2
|
10
|
19.5
|
28.2
|
4
|
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5
|
||||||
6
|
||||||
7
|
Plant Growth - Number of Leaves
Week
|
Mint
|
Chives
|
Parsley (L)
|
Parsley (R)
|
Sage
|
Dill
|
1
|
10 |
15
| 24 | 11 | 9 | 5 |
2 | 13 | 19 |
27
| 12 | 12 | 6 |
3
|
19
|
21
|
32
|
15
|
13
|
8
|
4
|
||||||
5
|
||||||
6
|
||||||
7
|
We chose herbs for all our plants, as they are quite hardy and don't need too much attention. We already had the plants as seedlings, because, if you are planting seeds, they might not grow. The herbs don't need too much direct sunlight, which made them suitable to grow in a classroom without direct sunlight. The herbs don't need a lot of water to grow.
Learnings from Project as a Whole
WOW Factor
James Elliott
It was good to do the project in a group, because there are many different jobs each member has to do. The construction itself was a team effort, because we needed some of the group to hold something while the other group did something else. I learnt that there are low cost ways of growing your own food. It is also possible to make a window garden, without harming the planet, by using recycable good wherever possible. I have learnt that you don't need a garden to grow plants. All you need is a WINDOW!
James Clarke
Throughout the first term I have enjoyed working on our Group Window Garden Project. I believe that I have learnt many new and helpful skills such as teamwork and a new found ability to work well with others. Working as a group has made it an almost seamless experience. Each of us would specialize in something which made everything a lot more efficient and easier to do.
Throughout the first term I have enjoyed working on our Group Window Garden Project. I believe that I have learnt many new and helpful skills such as teamwork and a new found ability to work well with others. Working as a group has made it an almost seamless experience. Each of us would specialize in something which made everything a lot more efficient and easier to do.
Josh Carnell
From the project I learnt that it is possible to grow your own fresh food even if you haven't got a garden. I learnt that a window garden is a great way to grow your own food because it is cheap to make and saves water and space. I also learnt that there are many different ways of making a window garden and that some are more effective than others.
From the project I learnt that it is possible to grow your own fresh food even if you haven't got a garden. I learnt that a window garden is a great way to grow your own food because it is cheap to make and saves water and space. I also learnt that there are many different ways of making a window garden and that some are more effective than others.
Abdul Maalik Kerbelker
The Biology Window Garden Project has been a great learning experience for me. It allowed me to experience new things and acquire knowledge that might assist me with future endeavours. I learnt about the many designs and methods that can be used in the building of the gardens and how using environmentally friendly ways of irrigation and construction can lead to a cost effective and environmentally secure way of gardening. The contribution and participation of all members of the group must be commended and I thoroughly enjoyed working with my group members.
WOW Factor
How to make a Window Garden
Photos taken of Window Garden at the end of Term 1
Finished Window Garden |
Top Level of Plants |
Middle Level of Plants |
Bottom Level of Plants |
Chives |
Dill |
Parsley (Right) |
Parsley (Left) |
Sage |
Mint |
Construction
Collecting water from container in bottom row |
Completed planter with chives |
Layer of bark |
Water draining from one container into the next |
Storage position for water collection jugs |
Water stored at bottom of bottom container |
Aerial view of empty planter showing drainage holes |
Silhouette of completed window garden |
Aerial view of window garden, connected to pole on window |
Parsley and Sage |
Adding bark around plant |
Adding soil to plants |
Adding drainage rocks to window garden |
Construction:
Materials: (include photo you took in garage)
- 6 x recycled 5L water bottles (planter)
- 2 x recycled plastic “beer” mugs (jug)
- Various pieces of scrap wooden strips
- Nails
- Hammer
- Cable Ties
- Masking tape
- Knife
- Glue
Method:
Construct frame from pieces of scrap wood
Cut off “top” portion of water bottle
Place it onto the bottom of the water bottle – to create a “funnel” and secure with masking tape
Remove lids from 4 of the 6 water bottles (to allow water to drip into bottle below)
Keep lids on the bottles in the lowest row – once water has built up, remove lid and let water empty into a “jug” and then pour that water into the bottles in the top row. Replace lids on bottom row.
Nail bottles onto wooden frame – 2 per “row”
Seal holes made in plastic bottles with glue to make watertight.
Nail wooden frame to vertical wooden pole
Using cable ties, attach wooden pole to permanent pillar located in classroom (choose a sunny spot, with sufficient light and air)
A bit of fun! |
Planting:
Materials: (include photo you took in garage)
- Drainage chips
- Patio & Tub Mix
- Vermiculite
- Bark
- Seedlings
- Gardening gloves
- Water
- Plant “labels”
- Marker pen
Place drainage chips at bottom of container.
Partly fill with Patio & Tub Mix.
Position seedling in middle of container
Fill with more Patio & Tub Mix
Add a layer of bark – this reduces evaporation, while still allowing water to reach the soil
Initial soaking after planting is essential
Label each planter with the herb that is planted in it
Measuring out drainage stones |
Stones |
Stones |
Soil on top of stones |
Soil on top of stones |
Herb planted in soil |
Herb planted in soil |
Tips:
Take care when using knife to cut off tops of water bottle – preferably get help from an adult.
Use Patio & Tub mix rather than normal potting soil as it contains sifted bark, composted and milled coco peat, slow release organic fertilizer and has an optimum soil pH.
Mix in 500g Vermiculite to 15dm3 Patio & Tub Mix
- Absorbs and holds water and releases it slowly to the plant when required
- Has neutral pH
- Helps to aerate the soil, helps prevent compaction , improves water holding capabilities
Do not compress soil, this will happen naturally over time from watering
Place a thin layer of bark around the planted seedling to further control evaporation.
Protect the plant from extreme heat and sunlight for the 1st few days.
fantastic tips and i loved the suzelle video!
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